Visitors will be limited at Memorial Hospital in South Bend and Elkhart General Hospital starting Thursday.

It’s an attempt to limit the spread of flu that is going around our area. Both hospitals are reporting a higher volume of patients that have flu-like symptoms than normal lately.

WNDU reports that just one adult visitor per patient will be allowed at both hospitals, with children under 18 not allowed to visit at all. It’s just a temporary measure until flu symptoms decrease in patients.

Beacon Health System recommends that you stay home if you show flu-like symptoms, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, use hand sanitizer after every cough or sneeze, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent the spread of the flu.

Meanwhile, the return of kids to Indiana schools from their winter break is expected to bring about an increase in flu-related illnesses for their age groups.

Health officials say there is almost always an increase in the week after classes resume in the new year, as more kids interact with other children and spread any diseases or viral strains they may have picked up during family celebrations.

And with Indiana being one of 36 states experiencing widespread flu activity, the impact should be bigger this year. Seven Hoosiers died from the flu in the week before Christmas.

The State Health Department also reminds you that the best ways to protect yourself against the flu are to get a flu shot and wash your hands with soap and water.

And much like Beacon Health Systems’ advice, if you or a family member are sick with the flu, you should stay home to prevent spreading it around.

Tommie Lee contributed to this story