Here’s our weekly round-up of what illnesses are spreading the most in Metro Detroit communities, according to our local doctors and hospitals.
WAYNE COUNTY – COVID, outdoor injuries, upper respiratory viruses, sinus infections, seasonal allergies, scarlet fever.
Dr. Tiffney Widner -- Children’s Hospital of Michigan Pediatrician
“We’re seeing viral upper respiratory issues and sinus infections, seasonal allergies and we’re seeing a few cases of scarlet fever. Usually what happens with scarlet fever is they will complain of a sore throat and then they get an all-over rash. After the rash goes away, they get peeling of the skin. So if parents are noticing peeling, especially of the hands or feet, they should come in. When we don’t catch or treat strep throat, it can progress to scarlet fever. Untreated strep infections can affect your kidneys, and we want to make sure they’re ok. So if your child is complaining of a bad sore throat, they should be seen by their pediatrician.”
Dr. Jennifer Stephens-Hoyer -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Plymouth
“We have been seeing a spike in COVID infections. Most are mild, though patients still feel unwell. Right now, those who are up in age have been more likely to require hospitalization.”
Dr. Zafar Shamoon -- Emergency Chief, Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital
“We are experiencing an upswing in COVID but conditions are not terribly severe. Other than that, we’re seeing typical summer falls and trauma injuries from car accidents.”
OAKLAND COUNTY – COVID, sports injuries, croup, stomach viruses.
Dr. Matthew Compton -- DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Chief of Emergency Medicine
“We’re in the mid-summer – people are conscious about being safe around the water and they’re not coming in with heat exhaustion as often. That’s certainly something we’re concerned about with the hot weather now and over the next couple of days. Another thing people need to be mindful of is drinking while enjoying summertime endeavors, like a campfire or while boating. That can get very dangerous very quickly. We are seeing some cases of COVID coming in, but we haven’t really seen an uptick. It’s floating around and we have had hospitalizations related to it.”
Dr. David Donaldson -- Emergency Chief, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
“There have been quite a few COVID cases lately causing GI symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. We’ve also seen several extremity sports injuries.”
Emergency Department, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
“We are seeing a lot of patients with abdominal pain, chest pain, and respiratory issues.”
WASHTENAW COUNTY – COVID, upper respiratory infections, influenza, asthma & COPD flare-ups.
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“Still seeing rising numbers of COVID cases. Some have required admission but not to ICU. Some other flu and COVID negative URIs are also common. Some asthma and COPD exacerbations from URIs and also weather changes this week as well.”
MONROE COUNTY – Heat exhaustion, influenza, abdominal pain.
Emergency Center, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital
“With the Monroe County Fair this week, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital – Emergency Center is seeing an increase in heat exhaustion. We are also seeing several patients coming in with abdominal pain, chest pain and influenza A.”
MACOMB COUNTY – COVID, poison ivy, sunburn, seasonal allergies, outdoor injuries, stomach viruses.
Dr. Steven Yester -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“There has been a noticeable, though slight, increase in the number of patients testing positive for COVID-19, with patients experiencing mild symptoms. Allergy sufferers have been experiencing symptoms mirroring upper respiratory infections caused by seasonal allergies. The trend of viral gastroenteritis from the past several weeks has shown signs of tapering off. Orthopedic injuries and, to a lesser extent, soft tissue injuries continue to be the most common reason patients are seeking care in the emergency department.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“Patients are coming in with sunburn, poison ivy rash and COVID.”