New rules to protect against H1N1 go into effect Monday at several area hospitals.

WakeMed and Rex Hospitals in Raleigh are both implementing restrictions on visitors to help protect patients and staff.

At WakeMed, no visitors age 18 and under will be allowed in any part of the hospital.

At Rex, kids 12 years old and under will not be allowed in.

WakeMed is also limiting visitations in its pediatric units and intensive care nursery to parents and grandparents. Both hospitals also do not want visitors who have any flu-like symptoms.

Duke University Medical Center is already restricting visits from those 18 years old and under. UNC Hospitals begin new rules Monday that restrict kids 12 years and under.

Visitor Cherokee Bailey Champine said she often brings her son, Nicholas, when she comes to Rex to visit her father.

She understands why the restrictions are in place, but said she's disappointed Nicholas won't get to visit his grandfather.

"For him not to be able to come up here and say ‘Hey papa, I love you,' that's kind of hard," she said.

Other visitors said they were disappointed their children would not be able to go inside the hospital with them, but think the new rules can be beneficial.

"It's necessary" said visitor Amy Werner. "We understand it completely and think it's a precaution that's probably better for children and the patients."

Hospital officials said they understand the regulations may be an inconvenience for some, but patient and staff health is the top priority.

Rex Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Linda Butler explained why hospitals are putting restrictions on kids.

"Their cough etiquette is not quite as good as adults, and their hand hygiene is also not as good," she said. "You're actually contagious a day or two before you have symptoms, so you would unknowingly expose people."

Dr. Barbara Bisset, Executive Director of Emergency Services Institute at WakeMed, said the restrictions are important because H1N1 is very contagious and most people don't have immunity from it.

"So we're trying to protect patients, trying to protect staff," she said. "We feel it's for the best interest of the community."

Hospital officials said the restrictions will be in place until the H1N1 threat is over, which could likely be in the spring.