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What’s Going Around: Ear infections, respiratory viruses, seasonal allergies, COPD flare-ups

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 – Ear infections, seasonal allergies, viral illnesses, outdoor injuries

Dr. Roy Elrod -- Chief of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital

“We’re not seeing as much flu anymore. The seasonal hay fever and allergies started early because of the warm weather, because of the weather change. And with that, we’re also starting to see the strains and the sprains where people are enjoying the outside. And we worry about the children in motor vehicle crashes on bikes and injuring themselves playing with toys outside. "

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

“Lots of ear infections because everything is flaring right now. When allergies and viruses are flaring, they have a build up of mucus and infection, and sometimes that can back up into the ear. And lots of allergies – sniffles, kids are breaking out in hives.”

Oakland County – Respiratory viruses, outdoor injuries, asthma flare-ups, seasonal allergies, car accidents

Sarah Rauner -- Pediatric nurse practitioner, emergency center, Corewell Health Beaumont Hospital Troy

“We are seeing spring injuries on the rise. As well as asthma and allergy-related issues. Vomiting, diarrhea, and fevers are still going around. Overall, there doesn’t seem to be one driving type of illness that’s more prevalent than others.”

Dr. Justin Skrzynski -- Internal medicine physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak

“We’ve been seeing high volumes at the hospital, but mainly exacerbations of chronic illness. With the warm weather, cases of respiratory viruses are fortunately low.”

Emergency Department at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital

“We are seeing a lot of stroke-like symptoms coming to the ED, as well as abnormal labs this week. There also are a lot of falls and abdominal pain as well.”

Trinity Health Oakland Emergency Department

“We have seen an increase in MVAs, no other trends at this time.”

Washtenaw County – Upper respiratory infections, asthma & COPD flare-ups, car & ATV accidents

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

“Still some upper respiratory infections. Very little GI. Very minimal flu and covid. Currently. A moderate amount of difficulty breathing. Some due to upper respiratory infections, others due to asthma or COPD exacerbations in people with those conditions. Some of this may be related to the heat and or humidity. Some occurred during high pollen days. Some may also be linked to high particulate days on some of the air quality days we’ve had recently. Not a large amount, but a detectable uptick.”

Chelsea Hospital Emergency Department

“Chelsea is seeing an uptick in MVC and ATV injuries.”

Washtenaw County Health Department

“Influenza cases in Washtenaw County residents are currently at high levels but appear to be decreasing. Most influenza cases being reported in Washtenaw County are influenza B. Sporadic cases of influenza A are being reported. Influenza-related deaths in Washtenaw County adults have been reported this flu season. All individuals were older adults with confirmed influenza A or influenza B infection. Flu-related hospitalizations of Washtenaw residents appear to be decreasing.”

Monroe County – Influenza, Covid, strep throat

ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital – Emergency Center

“We are seeing a lot of respiratory illnesses such as influenza A, COVID-19, and strep. We are also seeing an increase in complaints of chest pain and abdominal pain.”

Macomb County – Stomach viruses, outdoor injuries, seasonal allergies, respiratory infections, strep throat

Dr. Evan Coyne

Emergency physician at McLaren Macomb

“Following signs of tapering off, viral gastroenteritis and symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea has noticeable increased. A trend expected to last throughout the summer, orthopedic and soft tissue injuries sustained in outdoor activities are a very common reason to seek care in the emergency and trauma center. Asthma sufferers have been experiencing slight breathing complications due to seasonal allergies. Despite the favorable spring weather, cough, congestion, runny nose, and slight fever symptomatic of an upper respiratory infection continue to be routinely diagnosed and treated.”

Livingston County -- Insect stings, poison ivy, ATV accidents

Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department

“At Livingston ED, we are seeing an increase in bee stings, poison ivy, and ATV accidents.”


About the Authors
Sarah Mayberry, M.P.H. headshot
Frank McGeorge, MD headshot

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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