Health Systems across South Dakota are joining forces when it comes to allowing visitors into their hospitals. The H1N1 flu virus puts many already sick patients at high risk. And what they're recommending depends on your cooperation.

The Avera and Sanford Health System, along with Regional Health in Rapid City are suggesting if you're under 18 don't visit, if you're sick don't visit, or only clergy and family allowed.

They also ask that if you do want to visit someone in the hospital, don't come in large groups.

The recommendations can go a long way when it comes to protecting patients admitted into the hospital.

“People in the hospital anymore are pretty sick. I mean we've got cancer patients, patients that had surgery, people that are recovering from rather serious illnesses, we need to protect them," said Dr. Dan Heinemann, Chief Medical Officer Sanford Clinic.

And because many carrying the virus don't even know it early on, you're quick hello can wreak havoc.

“You can start shedding virus 24 hours prior to developing a fever and we believe that you'll continue to shed virus until your fever is gone,” Heinemann said.

Although they're asking you to hold off on visiting, health officials know how important it can be.

“A patient's family and friends and relatives are just as important to their healing and recovery as the physicians and the nurses and the care that they're getting in the hospital,” Heinemann said.

But it comes down to finding a balance between the benefit and risk.

“We're asking people to use good common sense in deciding whether or not they really need to come to the hospital to visit their loved one,” said Heinemann.

When these recommendations are lifted is up to the H1N1 flu.

“We've not gotten to the point where we're gonna lock the doors on the hospital. If it got much worse and we really needed to, that might be a very drastic step we'd have to take.”

You can expect to see these recommendations posted for the next month or so and even into the spring when we could see a third wave of the H1N1 virus, along with the peak of seasonal flu.