RSV fears cause Geisinger to restrict children from visiting patients

The flu is not the only disease on the rise. Geisinger Health System is seeing an increase in pediatric respiratory syncytial virus cases, said spokesman Matt Van Stone. As a result, Geisinger has issued restrictions temporarily prohibiting children under age 5 from visiting children's and women's inpatient units. "The number of RSV infections in children rise during the fall and winter months," said Michael Ryan, D.O., chairman of Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital. "It is typical for hospitals to initiate sibling visitor restrictions to children's and women's inpatient areas for the protection of our patients. This is an annual practice and is usually lifted at the end of the winter season."