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 – Seasonal allergies, colds, stomach viruses, strep throat, outdoor injuries.
Dr. Christopher Loewe -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford St. John Hospital
“We are seeing an uptick in cyclists crashing their bikes. Make sure you wear your helmet and consider wearing elbow pads and slow down. There are a lot of distracted drivers out there. For drivers out there, understand with the nicer weather there are more pedestrians out there.”
Dr. Tracy Wright -- Primary Care Physician, DMC Grand River Health Clinic and DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital
“We’re seeing a lot of follow-up visits from surgeries, like hip and knee replacements: ‘How’s it going? How is physical therapy?’ And school just let out, so people are bringing their kids in for well child visits, sinusitis, children’s vaccines, things like that.”
Dr. Arsala Bakhtyar -- Medical Director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan (based in Dearborn)
“Lately, we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in patients coming in with allergy flare-ups, along with a steady number of common cold cases.”
Dr. Kelly Levasseur -- Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“We’re seeing injuries. Scooter injuries! We’re also seeing vomiting illnesses and strep throat.”
OAKLAND COUNTY – Stomach viruses, tick bites, sunburn, summer viruses.
Dr. Justin Skrzynski -- Internal Medicine Physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak
“Fortunately, we’re seeing lower volumes at the hospital, and nothing major in terms of communicable diseases. One trend we’re noticing is elderly patients coming in for falls, confusion, or inability to care for themselves. In the summer especially, when there aren’t many family holidays, older people aren’t checked on as much, so it’s not a bad idea to make sure any aging loved ones are doing well.”
Dr. Adam Haezebrouck -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Rochester
“We are seeing some serious diarrheal illnesses requiring fluids and sometimes even admission. I would tell people that if they can keep liquids/foods down that that is a good sign. Diarrhea sometimes needs to run its course, however if they see blood, it persists to a point they feel weak/heart rate rises and won’t come down, have terrible associated pain, or something does not seem normal to them, to come and be evaluated in the emergency department. Not all diarrhea is the ‘stomach bug.’”
Dr. Rachel M. Klamo -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Glennan Primary Care
“We are seeing an increase in tick bites. We are also seeing an increase in sunburns and summer viruses causing fatigue. Keep up with hydration and sunscreen when spending extended time in the sun.”
WASHTENAW COUNTY – Asthma flare-ups, outdoor injuries, respiratory viruses, stomach viruses.
Dr. Brad Uren -- Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We continue to see low levels of upper respiratory infections, with very low flu and COVID rates currently. Mild GI illness continues to circulate at lower levels this week compared to last week.”
Dr. Stuart Bradin -- Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“We are seeing asthma and several orthopedic injuries. There are still some respiratory illnesses like enterovirus and some GI illness.”
MONROE COUNTY – Stomach viruses, outdoor injuries.
ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital – Emergency Center
“We are seeing an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, most commonly caused by viral gastroenteritis. These illnesses are affecting all age groups. We encourage everyone to practice good hand hygiene, stay well hydrated, and avoid exposure to others who are ill. Now that school is out and summer is here, we are also seeing an increase in injuries, including sports related injuries, car and motorcycle accidents, and orthopedic injuries. We recommend wearing appropriate protective gear, including helmets and seat belts, to help prevent injury.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Outdoor injuries, seasonal allergies, asthma flare-ups, colds, bronchitis, sunburns.
Dr. Joseph Carlier -- Emergency physician at McLaren Macomb
“Orthopedic and soft tissue injuries continue as the leading cause for patients to seek care in the emergency and trauma center, with a significant number of them having injured themselves while on e-bikes. Environmental allergens and increased outdoor activities have caused complications to asthma sufferers, with severe cases leading to shallow and labored breathing.”
Dr. Maria Samuel -- Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“Summer colds and bronchitis have been popping up recently. We are also seeing an uptick in allergies and sunburns, be careful being outside!”
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Outdoor injuries, sunburns.
Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department and the Brighton Medical Center
“We are seeing ATV, golf cart, and horse related injuries. We are also treating injuries related to outdoor home repairs and falls. Finally, we are also seeing some weather-related conditions like sunburns, but nothing heat-related.”