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 – Dehydration, heat exhaustion, kidney stones, heat rash, summer allergies, asthma flare-ups, stomach viruses
Dr. Jaime Hope -- Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health’s Beaumont Outpatient Campus – Livonia
“We continue to see viral illnesses as well as injuries from sports, yard work, and falls.
While we encourage an active and healthy lifestyle, it is important to stay safe.
Hydration and electrolytes are important. Note: electrolytes come from food too, not just beverages. Moving air (AC and fans) is helpful for cooling. Car safety is also extremely important. Pets, kids, and adults with health conditions are at higher risk of remaining in a car, which can get to 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature within 20 minutes (and more than 40 degrees higher than outside temperatures within an hour or less). Permanent organ damage and death can result quickly. Leaving car windows partially open is not enough. Recognizing signs of heat-related illness early is important and should encourage immediate cooling measures. Lastly, boat and water-related injuries are on the rise. Use the buddy system, follow safety practices, and use extreme caution with alcohol or avoid it altogether, as it leads to dehydration and impaired decision making.”
Dr. Ayed Mahmoud -- Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Medicine Physician
“In the past week, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in elderly patients presenting with altered mental status and confusion, primarily due to dehydration and heat exhaustion related to the ongoing heat wave. This has also contributed to an increase in falls and bone fractures. Chest pain and shortness of breath remain common complaints, with many cases linked to heart failure exacerbations. These are often tied to poor dietary habits, including excessive salt intake and processed foods, which contribute to fluid retention and cardiac strain. The CDC recommends a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low in sodium and added sugars to help prevent such complications.”
Dr. Kelly Levasseur -- Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“We haven’t been seeing a lot of kids with heat exhaustion; parents are doing a good job of keeping kids cool through the heat. What we are seeing is kids coming in with heat rash. We tell parents to keep them in a cool place, or in shade if they are outside. But there’s really nothing to do for the rash. It doesn’t really bother the kids; it bothers parents more. And creams aren’t going to help. They tend to keep the heat in, which is not what you want.
We are also still seeing a significant number of patients with viruses: fever and runny nose, or vomiting and diarrhea.”
Dr. Jennifer Stevenson -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Fairlane
“We’re seeing viral gastroenteritis as well as upper respiratory infections. There are lots of asthma exacerbations as well as symptoms related to sinus inflammation. We’re also seeing kidney stones. It’s important to stay well hydrated on these hot days, especially if you know you suffer from kidney stones. The dehydration that comes with these heat waves can make them worse.”
Dr. Rober Wahl -- Emergency Medicine, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township
“We’re seeing dehydration from heat, viral upper respiratory infections and the occasional COVID patient. Last weekend brought a handful of lake-related injuries: lacerations to the legs, arms, face, and a handful smashed between two boats. Please practice safety on the water and stay hydrated!”
Dr. Jennifer Stephens-Hoyer -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Plymouth
“We have seen an increase in patients presenting with asthma and COPD exacerbations as well as wheezing without a history of these diseases. We have also seen a bump in gastrointestinal illnesses this week.”
OAKLAND COUNTY – Lyme disease, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, outdoor injuries, rashes, insect bites, summer allergies, asthma flare-ups
Sarah Rauner -- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Center, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
“Summer is here! We are seeing a lot of rashes and insect bites, which is typical for this time of year. Sun burns and heat-related issues, especially the last few days, have increased. To combat the heat, make sure to stay hydrated, find lots of shade, and spend less time in the direct sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day. Additionally, asthma and allergies are at a high right now, and although we are still seeing some viral upper respiratory issues, it is much less than what we see in the winter months.”
Dr. Jim Getzinger -- Emergency Center Physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak
“Lately, we’ve been seeing increased house/yard accidents that are normal for this time of year, as people are active outdoors. There have also been some reports of stomach infections. Practice good food safety. As the heat ramps up, we are seeing some heat exhaustion and some heat strokes. Stay hydrated and try to stay out of the heat as best you can. Avoid being outdoors during peak times of the day.”
WASHTENAW COUNTY – Heat-related issues, dehydration, breathing problems, hand foot & mouth disease, viral illnesses, asthma flare-ups
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We are seeing several people for symptoms related to heat. Whether it’s significant dehydration, passing out, worsening breathing in people with underlying respiratory illnesses or worsening kidney function and people who become a severely dehydrated., we are seeing a mixture of patients with various complaints that all relate to the heat.”
Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“We are still seeing some viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID and croup, and a good amount of asthma as well. There are increasing cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, causing fever, rash, blisters in mouth/throat. There are fewer but some cases of GI illness. There are a lot of orthopedic traumas, especially elbow injuries.”
MONROE COUNTY – Heat-related illnesses, breathing problems, viral illnesses, influenza
Dr. Nicholas Schenk -- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency
“We’re seeing some summertime viruses going around, including a few mild cases of influenza. So far, these have been mild respiratory illnesses, manageable with over-the-counter symptom relief.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Outdoor injuries, stomach viruses, summer allergies, asthma flare-ups, colds, insect bites
Dr. Evan Coyne -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries continue to be the most common reason patients are seeking care in the emergency and trauma center. Environmental allergens coupled with the extreme heat have led to allergy sufferers, specifically those with asthma, experiencing complications, with the most severe cases causing breathing complications. A viral infection has led to symptoms mirroring those of a minor upper respiratory infection. There has been a noticeable volume of patients experiencing gastrointestinal distress, a foodborne condition or a minor viral infection.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“There have been patients presenting with viral colds, insect bites, asthma and allergies.”
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Heat-related issues, bike & ATV injuries, summer allergies, asthma flare-ups
Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department and the Trinity Health Medical Center – Brighton
“We have seen an increase in heat-related incidents this week. We have also seen some seasonal injuries related to ATV and bicycle use.”