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 – Scooter & motorcycle injuries, hand foot & mouth disease, bug bites, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, sports injuries.
Dr. Ayed Mahmoud -- Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Medicine Physician
“We continue to see a steady flow of patients affected by the ongoing heat wave, with dehydration being a common concern, especially among older adults who are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. We’re also treating an uptick in sports-related injuries, such as ankle and elbow sprains. With back-to-school season just around the corner, we remind families to help prevent the spread of illnesses in children by encouraging frequent handwashing, staying up to date on vaccinations, and keeping sick kids home to recover. Staying hydrated, playing safely, and practicing good hygiene are simple steps to keep our community healthy.”
Dr. Zafar Shamoon -- Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital
“As summer peaks, the heat and outdoor activity are driving seasonal health trends. We’ve seen cases of heat exhaustion and a rise in asthma flare-ups, especially on hot, humid days. Outdoor injuries are also common—fractures from biking and hiking serve as a reminder to wear helmets and protective gear. Staying hydrated, managing respiratory conditions, and gearing up properly can go a long way in staying safe this season.”
Dr. Tiffney Widner, Pediatrician & Dr. Kelly Levasseur, Pediatric Emergency Director -- Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Emergency Department – like our adult ERs – is seeing lots of injuries from scooters. Riders need to wear helmets, at minimum. Patients are also coming in with hand-foot-mouth and for treatment of bug bites. The pediatric offices are busy with back-to-school and sports physicals.”
Dr. Erin Brennan -- DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Emergency Physician
“We’ve seen a bump in a viral syndrome that’s not COVID and not flu: headache, nausea, vomiting and body aches. With the heat, our unhoused population are having heat emergencies and coming in to cool down. Motorcycle and scooter crashes continue to be high, and we are seeing severe injuries.”
Dr. Christopher Loewe -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford St. John Hospital
“We’re seeing a lot of hand foot and mouth disease in kids.”
OAKLAND COUNTY— Virus causing sore throat, breathing problems, mononucleosis, sports injuries, dehydration.
Dr. David Donaldson -- Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
“As summer hits its stride, we’re seeing seasonal shifts in health trends. While respiratory issues have been relatively quiet, cases of mono are on the rise—likely linked to increased social activity among teens and young adults. Sports injuries in children are also common this time of year, with sprains and fractures from outdoor play and organized athletics. Among older adults, dehydration remains a concern as temperatures climb. Staying hydrated, pacing physical activity, and using proper safety gear can help everyone enjoy a safer, healthier summer.”
Dr. Jim Getzinger -- Emergency Medicine Physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak
“There is a viral illness presenting in severe sore throats. Summer heat and poor air quality has triggered an uptick in respiratory issues. Otherwise we’ve been seeing the usual summer bumps/bruises/outdoor injuries/exposures.”
Dr. Rena Daiza -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Twp.
“The poor air quality is exacerbating asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions making it harder for vulnerable individuals to breathe safely.”
WASHTENAW COUNTY – Croup, outdoor injuries, viral illnesses causing fever, asthma flare-ups, Covid, upper respiratory infections.
Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“There is lots of croup and orthopedic trauma. We are still seeing human rhinoenterovirus/febrile viral illnesses, and some cases of asthma and COVID.”
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We are seeing upper respiratory tract infections, including a slight uptick in COVID over last week.”
MONROE COUNTY – Upper respiratory viruses, seasonal allergies, outdoor injuries.
Dr. Laura Grima -- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency
“We are seeing an increase in viral upper respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis. As we enter the fall season and return to school, we can expect to see a rise in viral infections. As always, we continue to recommend consistent hand washing and to stay home with illness if you are able to, and update your vaccines as indicated.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Sports injuries, Covid, stomach viruses, colds.
Dr. Erin Cuddeback -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“With the start of high school fall sports practice, there has been a noticeable uptick in the already prevalent volume of patients seeking care for an orthopedic injury. There was a sharp uptick in the number of patients testing positive for COVID-19, though those symptoms are mostly mild and mirror an upper respiratory infection, with cough, congestion, and sore throat. The number of patients seeking care for gastrointestinal distress, with symptom of nausea and diarrhea, remains low but steady.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“Injuries, colds and viral diarrhea has been going around.”
LIVINGSTON COUNTY -- Stomach viruses, respiratory issues.
Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department and the Brighton Medical Center
“We have seen a significant number of GI complaints coming into the emergency department, along with some respiratory issues likely due to the Canadian wildfires.”