Visitor Guidelines and Respiratory Viral Season Resources

Masking Guidelines at Nationwide Children's

Hospital

• Masking in most Nationwide Children’s Hospital facilities is now optional. You may be asked to wear a medical mask in some high risk areas including ICUs and Hematology/Oncology. 
• Masking in patient rooms and other areas will be optional based on patient, family and clinical team preference.
• Medical masks are available at our Welcome Desks and in high-risk areas.
• Please help us keep our patients and staff safe. Please stay home or wear a mask if you are not feeling well.

Outpatient / Ambulatory 

• Masking in most Nationwide Children’s Hospital facilities is now optional.
• Please help us keep our staff and patients safe. Please stay home or wear a mask if you are not feeling well.
• Masks are available at our registration desks.

Children under 2 should never wear a mask. Click here to learn why. 

What Are Common Respiratory Viruses?

There are many viruses that can cause respiratory illness. Common respiratory viruses can include bugs like seasonal influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or COVID-19.

These viruses can sometimes cause moderate to severe illness, and at times even lead to hospitalization or death. Respiratory viruses are contagious, meaning it spreads from person to person by coughing, sneezing or talking.

The people most at risk for complications from respiratory viruses are children 2 years of age or under and adults over 65 years of age. The other groups at higher risk are those who have immunosuppression. Any time there’s a chronic medical problem, respiratory viruses can make it worse.

Respiratory Virus Symptoms

View this chart to compare the symptoms of seasonal allergies, cold, flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

View Chart: Is it Allergies, Cold, Flu, COVID-19 or RSV?

Treatment

Should a respiratory virus find its way to you and your family, you will be faced with the decision to seek medical care or let the virus run its course. Trust the judgement of your health care provider regarding testing and treatment.

If you think your child may have a respiratory illness, and you are concerned about their health, please contact their primary care provider.

If the pediatrician sends your child for further evaluation for the flu, here are four things to know before you go to the Emergency Department (ED) or Urgent Care.

Learn More

Preventing Respiratory Illnesses

What are the best ways to prevent respiratory illnesses?

The best way to prevent your family from getting sick from the flu or COVID-19 is by staying up-to-date on vaccinations. While there is no vaccine against RSV that can be given to children at this time, there are other ways to protect young infants against this virus. People who are pregnant are eligible to receive the maternal RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. Young infants entering their first RSV season may also be eligible to receive nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that protects against severe infection. Talk to your doctor to learn more about these new ways to prevent RSV in babies.

• Aside from vaccination, the best thing you can do is practice good hand washing. This is very important in preventing all infections. When washing hands, use either soap and water or an alcohol gel disinfectant.
• Make sure you rest and take care of yourself. If you have a chronic medical problem, get it controlled as well as possible.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Give your immune system a boost by:
  • Getting plenty of sleep
  • Getting plenty of exercise
  • Eating healthy foods
  • Drinking plenty of fluids

Flu Vaccine Resources

Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine every year to reduce the chance of becoming sick from the flu. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect your children, yourself and everyone around you.

The staff at Nationwide Children's know in order to keep our patients healthy, we must first keep ourselves healthy. By requiring all employees to get the annual flu vaccine we are protecting patients, our families and our employees.

How do I get the flu vaccine for my children or myself?

There are many options!

• Ask your pediatrician
• Check Columbus Public Health
• Find a flu shot near you

How do I know the flu vaccine is safe?

The flu vaccine has been around for a long time, even though components change to it every year. There are hundreds of studies that show the vaccine is safe and effective. While there are very few rare side effects for the vaccine, the risk of getting the flu and being admitted to the hospital or winding up in the ICU far outweigh the slight risk of getting a side effect.

Sometimes my child gets a little fever or some body aches after receiving the flu vaccine. Is that normal?

It is pretty common - the flu vaccine doesn’t actually give you the flu. Two or three days after the vaccine, you may feel a little bit achy or have a low grade fever. That’s your body responding to the flu vaccine and it’s saying that your body made an immune response and is giving you protection.

Need help soothing shot anxiety? Check out this blog post by Matthew Washam, MD, MPH. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are now authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for all ages of children 6 months and older. Through established data we know that the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect you and your loved ones against COVID-19. 

The vaccine can: 

• Protect your child from severe COVID-19 and potential hospitalization.
• Protect family members and friends by stopping the spread of the virus.
• Keep them in school and participating in sports and other extracurricular activities.
• Reduce the spread of the virus within the community.

2023/24 Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

An updated formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine has recently been authorized by the FDA and recommended for use by the CDC. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all children 6 months of age and older. Most children and adults will need only one dose of the Updated COVID-19 vaccine to remain up-to-date. However, some children may need more than one dose depending on their age, number of prior COVID-19 vaccines received, and underlying medical conditions. Contact your child’s doctor if you have questions about the Updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Schedule a Vaccine Appointment

Nationwide Children’s offers all stages of the COVID-19 vaccine for all children aged 6 months to 18 in several school-based clinic locations. Current Nationwide Children’s primary care network patients can receive the COVID vaccine with their pediatrician.

Access More COVID-19 Resources