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 – Viral illnesses, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, asthma & allergies, common cold
Dr. Tiffney Widner -- Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“Viruses, lots of viral upper respiratory infections – colds. Asthma and allergy flares – anyone who flares in the cold weather is having problems. We’re starting to test more since we’re entering into the flu season. Now’s the time to get your flu shot! The reason the flu shot is important is so we can prevent the complications associated with flu. We can deal with the cough and fever, but we’re trying to prevent children from being hospitalized and dying from the flu.”
Dr. Jaime Hope -- Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, Beaumont Outpatient Campus – Livonia, a part of Corewell Health
“We are seeing a lot of the usual viruses, including more individuals testing positive for both COVID and flu. And while the fall weather has been beautiful, we are seeing a lot of injuries from people doing yard work, decorating activities, and playing outside. The activity is very healthy, but it’s a great time to remind people to use caution with ladders and climbing. Also, it’s a good idea to use the buddy system for being up in a roof. Falling is bad enough… falling and waiting to be found is worse.”
Dr. Erin Brennan -- DMC Sinai-Grace and DMC Detroit Receiving Emergency Department
“We have a lot of people who have viral syndrome, upper respiratory things. It doesn’t seem to be COVID or flu. It’s general run-of-the-mill, season-changing things. The typical chest pain, stroke and trouble breathing are always there in the background. But this week we’re seeing a surge of the common cold and viruses.”
Oakland County – Strep throat, pneumonia, flu-like illnesses, COVID, breathing problems
Dr. David Donaldson -- Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
“We are seeing lots of strep throat cases coming in. There has been a lot of peds pneumonia lately too.”
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital Emergency Department
“We have seen a lot of falls with fractures this week. We are still seeing respiratory issues and a small spike in Covid-positive patients. There also were patients presenting with stroke symptoms, chest pain and a lot of complaints of pain.“
Washtenaw County – Upper respiratory viruses, COVID, influenza, rhino enterovirus, stomach viruses, norovirus
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“Still seeing a lot of upper respiratory viruses. Some covid and some flu. We are not testing everyone with cold symptoms, but among those being tested, human rhino enterovirus is fairly common right now on the adult side. There’s also a notable increase in GI illness with vomiting and diarrhea. Some tests have been positive for norovirus.”
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 – Colds, influenza, stomach viruses, asthma & allergies
ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Emergency Center
“We are seeing patients coming in with complaints of weakness, cold and flu symptoms, and abdominal pain.”
Macomb County – Asthma & allergies, upper respiratory infections, stomach viruses, COVID
Dr. James Larkin -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“The late-season warm weather has led to a significant increase of patients experiencing complications of allergies and asthma. Also associated with the warm temperatures, injuries sustained during outdoor activities have noticeably increased. After a brief rise, the rate of patients complaining of COVID-19 symptoms and testing positive have significantly tapered off. Cases of both upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis have tapered off after weeks of increasing volumes.”