STEUBENVILLE - Visits to Trinity Health System buildings will be limited beginning Monday in an effort to fight the H1N1 flu.

Visitors are asked to refrain from visiting the hospitals unless absolutely necessary, and no one under age 18 will be permitted to visit, officials have said.

Some of the entrances to Trinity Medical Centers East and West will be temporarily closed. Signs will be placed at all entrances directing individuals to appropriate entrance points.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health are recommending that hospitals screen all individuals entering their buildings and to limit visitation by certain population groups," said Keith Murdock, Trinity spokesman.

The hospitals will have staff members stationed at all entrances to ask a series of questions of each person coming to the hospitals. The questions are meant to find out if the person is suffering from any symptoms of the flu, including:

Fever.

Cough.

Sore throat.

Headache.

Fatigue.

Nasal congestion.

Body aches.

Vomiting.

Diarrhea.

Patients with any of these symptoms will be asked to wear a mask and may be asked to wait in a separate area prior to treatment, officials said.

"It is important to remember that these actions are being taken as a safety measure for our patients and the community," Murdock added.