What’s Going Around: COVID, upper respiratory infections, viral pneumonia, seasonal allergies

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, whooping cough, upper respiratory infections, viral pneumonia, seasonal allergies, stomach viruses

Dr. Jaime Hope -- Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, Beaumont Outpatient Campus – Livonia, a part of Corewell Health

“There are a lot of stomach viruses with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It’s very contagious, so emphasis on good handwashing. We are also seeing a variety of respiratory infections, including COVID and flu, and people with symptoms but negative swabs. There is lingering cough this time around too. Lastly, we’re seeing back-to-school concussions and sports injuries.”

Dr. Jennifer Stephens-Hoyer -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Plymouth

“We are seeing a variety of viral illnesses, including COVID and a few cases of whooping cough. I urge everyone to get a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine if it has been 10 years since the first dose.“

Dr. Roy Elrod -- Chief of Staff and emergency physician, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital

“The hot and dry weather has caused a spike in seasonal allergies. We’re also seeing the back-to-school increase in upper respiratory infections, including some COVID, gastrointestinal infections, and asthma flares. And we’re experiencing higher-than-normal numbers of trauma injuries due to the continued good weather.”

Dr. Tiffney Widner -- Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Michigan

“We’re seeing mostly upper respiratory infections, as well as some cases of viral pneumonia. We’ve seen a few cases of COVID, but it hasn’t started ramping up yet.“

Oakland County – Seasonal allergies, upper respiratory infections, COVID

Dr. Sanford Vieder -- Chief, emergency center, Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital

“We are seeing a low but consistent level of COVID cases. Most are relatively mild cases except for the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. With cough, cold, and flu season just around the corner, this would be the perfect time to make plans to get your flu vaccination. The ideal time for flu vaccination is typically late September through mid-October.”

Dr. Rena Daiza -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Township

“This week, I have seen several patients test positive for COVID. A reminder to stay up to date with the latest vaccine, especially for those at higher risk (pregnant individuals, the immunocompromised, the elderly, etc.)”

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital Emergency Department

“Abdominal and chest pain are symptoms for most patients right now. We have also had a lot of patients come in for falls this week. “

Trinity Health Oakland Emergency Department

“We have seen an uptick in respiratory infections over the past week.”

Washtenaw County – Seasonal allergies, respiratory viruses, asthma flare-ups, Covid, upper respiratory infections, influenza

Dr. Marisa Louie -- Medical Director of Children’s Emergency Services, Michigan Medicine

“We are seeing lots of respiratory illnesses, the typical viruses plus some less common mycoplasma infections. This has been causing asthma exacerbations in some patients.”

Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine

“We are still seeing COVID in high numbers, though the numbers are receding slightly. There are still many URIs, though very little flu so far on the adult side.”

Washtenaw County Health Department

“Influenza cases in Washtenaw County residents are currently at low levels. Sporadic cases of influenza A and influenza B are being reported. Most influenza cases being reported in Washtenaw county are influenza B. Influenza wastewater detection is currently at low levels in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.”

Monroe County – Breathing problems, abdominal pain, seasonal allergies

ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Emergency Center

“We are seeing patients coming in with complaints of abdominal pain and respiratory symptoms.”

Macomb County – COVID, seasonal allergies, breathing problems, asthma flare-ups, stomach viruses

Dr. Emily Orille -- Emergency physician at McLaren Macomb

“Following a few weeks of increasing volumes, patients testing positive for COVID-19 has remained steady, with the vast majority of patients experiencing minor symptoms. Allergens in the air have caused many patients, especially asthma sufferers, to experience reactive airway disease and symptoms of breathing complications. Mainly treated in school-aged children, cases of viral gastroenteritis are trending up slightly.”

Livingston County -- Seasonal allergies, breathing problems, stomach viruses

Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department

“We have been treating patients with respiratory complaints, as well as viral GI issues.”


About the Authors

Dr. McGeorge can be seen on Local 4 News helping Metro Detroiters with health concerns when he isn't helping save lives in the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital.

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