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 – Asthma flare-ups, seasonal allergies, eczema, stomach viruses, outdoor injuries, fireworks & bonfire burns
Dr. Ayed Mahmoud -- Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Medicine Physician
“We continue to treat patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, likely related to viral gastroenteritis. We encourage community members to practice good hand hygiene, stay well hydrated, and avoid close contact with others when ill.
“Encouragingly, we are seeing a decline in respiratory illnesses compared to previous weeks, with fewer patients presenting with cough, congestion, and flu-like symptoms.”
Theo Chiakmakis, RN -- DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Emergency Department
“People have been out enjoying the weather, and in the summer,, we tend to see more injuries rather than illness. We’re seeing more car accidents, scooter and motorcycle injuries, orthopedic injuries like broken bones from sports or recreation, and some burns from fireworks and bonfires, mostly hands and arms. People need to keep a safe distance from fire and fireworks, follow safety precautions and avoid alcohol while using them.”
Dr. Trifun Dimitrijevski -- Medical Director, Detroit Grand Prix, and Emergency Department doctor at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
“Thankfully, no racers were injured. Otherwise, it was pretty typical: lots of sinus congestion, coughs and upper respiratory infections, vomiting and diarrhea, some eye complaints with foreign bodies in the eyes, and dehydration.”
Dr. Tiffney Widner -- Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“Lots of patients are coming in for asthma, allergies, and eczema outbreaks, especially with the plants blooming and the spring weather we’re experiencing. We’re also seeing a few episodes of gastroenteritis and stomach bugs.”
Avi Amirsadri -- Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Department Manager, DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital
“We’re seeing mostly respiratory complaints, such as asthma exacerbations.”
OAKLAND COUNTY – Hand, foot & mouth disease, croup, stomach viruses, poison ivy, seasonal allergies, bug bites
Dr. Asha Shajahan -- Primary Care Physician, Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital
“Lately, I’ve been seeing an increase in poison ivy rashes and allergic rhinitis, along with more asthma exacerbations and wheezing, likely triggered by seasonal allergies.”
Dr. Whitney Minnock -- Pediatric Chief of Emergency at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak
“We’re currently seeing an uptick in cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, croup, and various gastrointestinal viruses circulating in the community.”
Dr. Rena Daiza -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Twp.
“Primary care clinics are seeing patients suffering from severe allergic flares, driven by pollen surges and pollution. The poor air quality is triggering intense respiratory issues, leaving providers to manage a rise in allergy flares and asthma exacerbations. Taking antihistamines and inhalers as directed is recommended, and see your healthcare provider if symptoms are not improving.”
Southfield CVS Pharmacy -- Meghan Rock, Pharmacy Manager
- Common symptoms and/or illnesses we’ve encountered recently include:
• Allergy symptoms – mainly runny nose, cough, sinus pressure, and drainage
• Rashes from poison ivy/other allergens
• Bug bites
- I’ve noticed an uptick in motion sickness medication questions among patients preparing for vacations/cruises
Waterford CVS Pharmacy -- Ryan Kallabat, Pharmacy Manager
- We are seeing a lot of UTI illness and allergic rhinitis at our pharmacy
- Many common questions among pharmacy visitors regarding antihistamines and ophthalmic medications
Farmington Hills CVS Pharmacy -- Luciano Narkaj, Pharmacy Manager
• We are seeing digestive issues and seasonal flu/cold illnesses
• Tied to the above, most patients are asking about laxatives and heartburn medications to relieve their symptoms
West Bloomfield CVS Pharmacy -- Danielle Desai, Pharmacy Manager
• We are seeing a lot of allergies emerging right now. People who are sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy or red eyes.
• A lot of people are asking for antihistamine allergy products with Sudafed, such as Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D, or Claritin-D. People are also asking for allergy eye drops as well.
• If you’ve been using the same product for a while (such as Allegra), it is best to try switching to a different antihistamine (such as Claritin or Zyrtec) to see if your body has a better response to it.
Bloomfield Hills CVS Pharmacy -- Zeinab Fakih, Pharmacy Manager
• Mostly, people have been coming in with complaints with sinuses and allergies due to the change in weather, as well as cough/cold symptoms. Additionally, we are dispensing lots of antibiotics more for sinus infections and other respiratory illnesses.
WASHTENAW COUNTY – Respiratory illnesses, stomach viruses, outdoor injuries, asthma flare-ups, hand, foot & mouth disease
Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“We are still seeing respiratory and GI illness and lots of asthma. We are also starting to see rashes related to summer viruses like hand-foot-mouth disease and lots of orthopedic injuries and trauma.”
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We are seeing a slight increase in respiratory illnesses, GI illness, and a lot of warm weather/outdoor injuries, including falls and injuries related to housework.”
MONROE COUNTY – Seasonal allergies, upper respiratory viruses
Dr. Laura Grima -- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency
“Over the past week, we are seeing increased symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which is consistent with the seasonal changes we are experiencing. These symptoms — including runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes — are common with seasonal allergies. We are also seeing viral upper respiratory illnesses at lower levels, not related to COVID-19 or influenza at this time. Please contact your primary care physician with any concerns, as some symptoms of viral illnesses can be similar to those of allergic rhinitis. Continue to wash your hands frequently.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Seasonal allergies, outdoor & sports injuries, sunburns, rashes, sinus infections, colds
Dr. Benjamin Doerr -- Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“With an initial symptom of nasal congestion, allergies and other environmental irritants causing breathing complications has noticeably increased over the past week. There continues to be a very steady flow of patients seeking care for orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, mainly caused from outdoor activities and youth sports.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“We are seeing some summer-related visits with sunburns, contact dermatitis, and other injuries. Also seeing allergies, sinusitis, and colds.”
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Tick bites, seasonal allergies, asthma flare-ups
Dr. Bashar Yalldo -- Henry Ford Byron Family Medicine- Howell
“I have been treating a lot of tick bites lately. I even had a patient today who had 3 ticks engorged at different sites. Early removal of the ticks are key as well as early treatment based on how long the tick has been attached to prevent Lyme disease.”