MADISON, Wis. -- Student volunteers play a big role at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, but hospital officials have made the decision to restrict access for student volunteers in an effort to limit patients' possible exposure to the H1N1 virus.

All UW-Madison and Edgewood students volunteering at UW Hospital and Clinics are suspended because of the high number of students already infected with H1N1, or the so-called swine flu.

"In the interest of protecting our patients we decided proactively that we would institute social distancing and a restricted visitation policy," said Dr. Nasia Safdar, medical director of infection control at UW Hospital and Clinics.

Also, in the American Family Children's Hospital, only patients or legal guardians are allowed to visit, with similar restrictions applying at UW Hospital.

"We're hoping that with the vaccine coming at the end of October, if it seems we can protect people from (H1N1) then we may be able to relax it at that point. If we can't, then it would be for the duration of the flu season," Safdar said. "In the pandemic situation the two main things that have been shown to reduce transmission is vaccination and social distancing. So we don't' have a vaccine yet, but we have the capacity to at least implement this."

Hospital officials said that in certain situations, on a case-by-case basis, if a patient is gravely ill an exception might be made for some visits -- by a sibling or family member, for example.

Last spring, a limitation on visitors was put in place, and the hospital said people were very understanding. But that was only for a very short period near the end of the flu season.

Doctors said this is the first time the hospital has implemented volunteer suspensions over exposure concerns.