Here’s our weekly round-up of what illnesses are spreading the most in Metro Detroit communities, according to our local doctors and hospitals.
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN:
Tick bite visits have increased at Macomb, Walled Lake, Rochester Hills and Clawson MinuteClinic locations, according to Family Nurse Practitioner and MinuteClinic Regional Quality Lead, Lindsi Shaw. With increased tick activity, we encourage the use of insect repellent, wearing long sleeves/pants when outdoors, and performing full-body tick checks after potential exposure. Advise patients to seek care for embedded ticks, new rashes (especially expanding or bull’s-eye rashes), fever, or flu-like symptoms.
WAYNE COUNTY – Viral illnesses, strep throat, outdoor injuries, seasonal allergies, asthma flare-ups, colds.
Dr. Ayed Mahmoud -- Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Medicine Physician
“Over the past week, we have continued to see a steady number of upper respiratory infections. Common symptoms include cough, congestion, sore throat, fever, fatigue, and body aches. We encourage the community to practice good hand hygiene, stay hydrated, cover coughs and sneezes, and consider masking when experiencing symptoms or around vulnerable individuals to help reduce the spread of illness.”
Dr. Roy Elrod -- Emergency Department physician and Chief of Staff, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
“We’re seeing allergies and asthma start to flare up, as well as everything from mild colds to strep throat. With the better weather, the number of outdoor-related injuries is up, including scooter and yard work muscle injuries.
Dr. Kelly Levasseur -- Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“We’re seeing a combination of viral illnesses and strep throat. Kids are getting outside more and we’re seeing a lot of broken bones from playgrounds.”
Dr. Arsala Bakhtyar -- Medical Director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan (based in Dearborn)
“I’m seeing a number of gastroenteritis cases, along with increased asthma symptoms due to the spring season and changing weather.”
Canton MinuteClinic -- Romika Glenn, Nurse Practitioner
“We’ve seen an uptick in patients testing positive for Ureaplasma
Ureaplasma is a sexually transmitted infection that can be associated with genitourinary symptoms and is often detected through testing. It’s important to complete all prescribed treatment, notify sexual partners as appropriate, and return for care if symptoms persist or worsen."
OAKLAND COUNTY – Seasonal allergies, asthma flare-ups, sinus & ear problems, strep throat, outdoor injuries.
Dr. Adam Haezebrouck -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Rochester
“We are seeing a quite bit of patients with the chief complaint of dizziness. I think with the changing seasons and allergies, people are getting a back up of their sinuses leading to inner ear issues effecting their balance. The key for these patients is to not ignore these symptoms as certain types of head/neck pathology such as strokes also present with similar symptoms. Happy to always evaluate anyone in the ER if their symptoms are concerning.”
Dr. Rena Daiza -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center, Bloomfield Twp.
“In the primary care setting, we continue to see increased seasonal allergy complaints (rhinitis, itchy/watery eyes, congestion) along with asthma flares triggered by pollen and fluctuating spring temperatures. Viral upper respiratory infections also tend to remain common with patients presenting cough, sore throat, and mild fevers.”
Dr. Asha Shajahan -- Primary Care Physician, Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital
“A lot of people are currently dealing with seasonal allergies, sinus infections, and eczema flare ups. In terms of viral illnesses, the main one I’m seeing is strep throat.”
Dr. Josh Newblatt -- Pine Knob Urgent Care
“Continued increase in seasonal allergies and related complications like asthma exacerbations. Been seeing increase in injuries related to outside activities and spring cleanups. Declining numbers of upper respiratory illness.”
Walled Lake MinuteClinic -- Uma Baskaran, Nurse Practitioner
“The months of April and May have brought dramatic temperature swings across the Detroit area, shifting between cold and warm days and our patients are feeling the effects. Clinics are seeing a notable increase in visits for sore throat, congestion, and flu-like symptoms, yet testing consistently comes back negative for influenza, COVID-19, and strep.
The culprit? Seasonal allergic rhinosinusitis. With grass pollen counts climbing and flowers in full bloom, these weather fluctuations are amplifying allergy symptoms across the region.
Fortunately, nothing alarming has emerged this season. Most patients are responding well to standard allergy management, including nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines. As we move further into spring, early treatment and monitoring daily pollen counts remain the best strategies for staying ahead of symptoms."
WASHTENAW COUNTY – Croup, pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, stomach viruses, seasonal allergies.
Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“We are still seeing croup, pneumonia, asthma flares and plenty of gi illness.”
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We’re still seeing low levels of URIs this week. Seasonal allergy symptoms are quite bad, but patients aren’t truly coming to the ED for that. Asthma and COPD exacerbations have occurred in those with allergies, and allergies are evident in patients here for other problems.”
Washtenaw County Health Department
“Influenza cases in Washtenaw County residents are currently at low levels. Influenza A wastewater detection is currently at low levels in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Influenza B wastewater detection is currently at low levels in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. According to the most recent MDHHS MI Flu Focus report, influenza A H3N2 is currently dominating the 2025-2026 influenza season. Influenza-related deaths in Washtenaw County residents have been reported this flu season. All individuals were confirmed with Influenza A.”
MONROE COUNTY – Seasonal allergies, viral illnesses, outdoor injuries.
ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital – Emergency Center
“We have seen an increase in sports-related and yardwork-related injuries. Falls from ladders have increased, and we recommend taking your time, having someone assist you while using a ladder, and following safety precautions. If you are using power tools for yard work, please make sure to wear protective gear, especially eye protection. For sports-related injuries, it is essential to wear appropriate protective equipment and follow the rules of play. We are also continuing to see a high number of allergies and viral illnesses, with symptoms such as fever and headaches. We recommend using over-the-counter medications for symptom relief and taking steps to avoid spreading germs to others remains important.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Poison ivy, seasonal allergies, asthma flare-ups, coughs & colds, outdoor injuries.
Dr. Stephanie Hernandez -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“The emergency and trauma center continues to treat a significant and steady volume of patients seeking care for orthopedic and soft tissue injuries sustained in outdoor and other activities. There has been a noticeable increase in motor vehicle accidents resulting in injury, and we continue to urge everyone to exercise caution and use their seatbelt. There has also been a small, though noticeable, a number of patients experiencing a viral infection with symptoms of the common cold (cough, congestion, slight fever), though all have tested negative for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center, Sterling Heights
“We are seeing some cases poison ivy, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma flairs, and a few coughs and colds.”