California hospitals fear swine flu, bar visits by kids

Citing the need to reduce the spread of the swine flu virus, Stanford and Lucile Packard Children's hospitals in California announced plans to bar children under the age of 16 from visiting patients, including family members. Officials from Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland said the hospital has already starting banning visitors under 18. Stanford Hospital officials said they restricted visitations at their hospitals because children are more likely to get swine flu and they can be infectious for longer periods of time, even after symptoms are gone. The policy will remain in effect throughout the flu season.