Port Huron child recovers after rare hepatitis diagnosis; 1 of 3 cases in Michigan
A St. Clair County 11-month-old is one of three Michigan children included in the CDCโs acute hepatitis investigation. Itโs that mysterious liver disease in children first identified in the U.K. and is now found in children across Europe and the U.S.
Mental health is critical for Michiganders that are looking to overcome negative feelings
Many people report that their stress and anxiety levels rise this time of year. So local mental health expert Dr. Jennifer Peltzer Jones from Henry Ford Emergency Behavioral Services is here to help circumvent that frame of mind with tips that can help change your way of thinking.
Coronavirus pandemic: How it has impacted the world
While March 10, 2021, marked one year Michigan reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case, there were other anniversaries beforehand that led up to the cases in the state. Local 4โฒs Dr. Frank McGeorge reflects on when the virus was first detected, eventually making its way to the United States. Watch Dr. Frank McGeorgeโs report in the video above. More: Local 4โฒs Dr. Frank McGeorge looks back on COVID pandemic on anniversary of first casesMore: Watch full special here: โCoronavirus Crisis: One Year Laterโ
Local 4โฒs Dr. Frank McGeorge answers COVID vaccine questions
DETROIT โ Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Dr. Frank McGeorge has been keeping viewers up-to-date and informed on all fronts. You should get the vaccine as close to 21 days after for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days for the Moderna. The recommendation is to wait at least 14 days between any other vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. If you had significant side effects with the first dose youโll likely have a fever with the second dose. RELATED: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine dataQuestions about coronavirus?
Q&A: Answering Michigan COVID-19 vaccination questions
On Wednesday afternoon we held a special discussion with Dr. Frank McGeorge about the COVID-19 vaccine. More: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesHereโs a recap of the Q&A:Where is Michigan in the COVID-19 vaccination process? READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesThe second path is through the major medical facility that your doctor is affiliated with. Should people who had really bad side effects with the first dose still get the second dose and how are they expected to respond to the second dose? Because of that the CDC has recommended that you donโt get any vaccine within 14 days of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Frank McGeorge shares experience with second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
He recently opened up about the side effects he had from the second dose so you know what to expect. Ask the doctorโMy experience with the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine was pretty much in line with what I had expected. My second shot was a different story,โ said McGeorge. Fortunately, he was able to reschedule his second dose to after his midnight shifts. Iโm talking about this so you have an idea of what could happen after the second shot and are prepared.
Answering your COVID-19 vaccine questions -- live discussion at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Local 4's Dr. Frank McGeorge will be taking questions from viewers Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Join us Wednesday afternoon for a special discussion with Dr. Frank McGeorge about the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. McGeorge will be joined by Sarah Mayberry, Local 4โฒs senior medical producer who has a masterโs degree in public health. LIVE STREAM Q&A: Answering Michigan COVID-19 vaccination questionsAgain, join us at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 for our live COVID-19 vaccine discussion. You will be able to ask questions during the live discussion starting at 12:30 p.m.You can also ask your questions right now -- submit here:Coronavirus resources:
2020 is over: When can we realistically expect things to improve?
As the vaccine rollout continues, many people are excited that 2020 is finally in the past. While that doesnโt mean coronavirus disappeared at midnight, experts are weighing in when itโs realistic to expect things to get back to normal. He said mask wearing, social distancing and other precautions will stay in place until at least 70% of the population is vaccinated. Those things will affect how long it takes to reach broad public immunity.โThe same thoughts are held on a national level too. Dr. Anthony Fauci said masks, social distancing and other precautions will have to stay in place until the majority of people are vaccinated.
Kim DeGiulio shares her COVID-19 experience: โI invited the virus over to my houseโ
DETROIT โ Kim DeGiulio caught the coronavirus after inviting a friend over for dinner. I invited the virus over to my house. Is it going to be a severe case, mild, am I going to be asymptomatic?โ she said. Their cases are part of a growing trend recently: The virus has been spreading more in younger people. Local 4โฒs Dr. Frank McGeorge cautions that while their experience is typical, age is no guarantee.
How time of year babies are born can affect risk of having food allergies
New research suggests the time of year a baby is born could increase the risk of them having food allergies. More than 5 million children have food allergies, and that number is on the rise. Experts believe being born in the fall could especially increase the risk of babies having food allergies. Babies born at different times of the year experience a variety of different factors that can raise or lower the risk of various conditions. A new clinical trial will further study why babies born in the fall tend to have weakened skin barriers.
Death of Chadwick Boseman spotlights rising number of young people with colon cancer
The death of Chadwick Boseman has put a new spotlight on the growing number of younger people being diagnosed with colon cancer. The battle Boseman fought off the screen is being waged every day in cancer centers around the nation and the world. Come to find out, they said I had a bowel obstruction, with stage 2 colorectal cancer.Funches was just 42 years old when he was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago. Itll help you through it.Funches is an example of why its so challenging to diagnose colon cancer early in younger patients. Doctors have several theories about why cases are rising in young people, but so far, theyre only theories.
Answering 5 travel questions: Driving safer than flying? Avoid parts of country? Stay in hotels?
Local 4s Dr. Frank McGeorge is answering some of the most common questions from viewers about summer travel. Is it safe to plan a summer vacation? First and foremost, is it safe to plan a summer vacation? Its safe to plan a summer vacation, but there are a couple of important things to consider, McGeorge said. Ive never considered hotels clean, so I wouldnt say theyre any less safe, McGeorge said.
Can coronavirus cause patients to develop severe diseases? Does asthma increase that risk?
Dr. Frank McGeorge wants to verify or refute any information about the coronavirus, but there are also some questions experts still donโt know the answer to. McGeorge is discussing them because acknowledging what we donโt know is just as important as verifying information so people donโt rely on incorrect answers. Severe diseasesViewers from Farmington, Royal Oak and South Lyon want to know if they are at risk of developing a series disease from coronavirus. Many people have also asked if having a certain medical condition increases the risk of death from coronavirus. The risk of death for patients with cardiovascular disease who develop coronavirus is 10.5 percent.
Can coronavirus cause patients to develop severe diseases? Does asthma increase that risk?
Can coronavirus cause patients to develop severe diseases? Does asthma increase that risk? Published: March 10, 2020, 5:49 pmThereโs a lot of information and misinformation out there about the coronavirus, so Local 4 is letting viewers submit questions so we can find verified answers.
Can you get coronavirus from handling money?
DETROIT โ Thereโs a lot of information and misinformation out there about the coronavirus, so Local 4 is letting viewers submit questions so we can find verified answers. Dr. Frank McGeorge wants to verify or refute any information about the coronavirus, but there are also some questions experts still donโt know the answer to. Handling moneyConcerns over coronavirus have created intense swings in financial markets, but can the cash in your wallet, which passes between people, cause a problem? Viewers from Plymouth to Grosse Pointe have asked: Can you get coronavirus from handling money? The answer is we donโt know, but itโs worth thinking about.
Coronavirus questions: Is it safe to travel? Should you stock up on water?
Dr. Frank McGeorge wants to verify or refute any information about the coronavirus, but there are also some questions experts still donโt know the answer to. McGeorge is discussing them because acknowldging what we donโt know is just as important as verifying information so people donโt rely on incorrect answers. Viewers from St. Clair Shores to Livonia have asked whether they should be stocking up on bottled water. For people who donโt drink tap water and only drink bottled water, having a supply of bottled water available in the event that you canโt get to a grocery store is sensible. A good source for updated travel answers is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel information page.
Health experts issue warning: Coronavirus is not the same as the flu
Many people have compared the new coronavirus to the seasonal flu, but health experts are worried that might give people a false sense of security. Local 4โฒs Dr. Frank McGeorge said heโs concerned that heโs heard many people say, coronavirus is โjust like the flu.โ That implies we donโt need to pay extra attention to the outbreak. By comparison, the seasonal flu kills 300,000 to 650,000 people a year worldwide. Coronavirus, even if low estimates are right, appears to be significantly more deadly than the seasonal flu. By comparison, itโs estimated that less than 2% of those infected with the seasonal flu this year have needed to be hospitalized.
Can coronavirus spread to pets? Are you immune after youโve been infected?
Dr. Frank McGeorge wants to verify or refute any information about the coronavirus, but there are also some questions experts still donโt know the answer to. McGeorge is discussing them because acknowldging what we donโt know is just as important as verifying information so people donโt rely on incorrect answers. The alpha form is what usually infects pets, and the COVID-19 virus is a beta coronavirus from bats that our pets canโt catch. Another question from viewers in Ann Arbor and Troy is, โAre you immune after youโve been infected?โThe answer is yes. Experts donโt know if immunity would be highly specific or broad enough to protect a person if the virus underwent a slight mutation.
Do masks help protect against coronavirus? How long can it live on surfaces?
McGeorge is discussing them because acknowldging what we donโt know is just as important as verifying information so people donโt rely on incorrect answers. If youโre a healthy person who doesnโt want to get sick, ordinary masks arenโt considered especially helpful. Tight-fitting N-95 masks are used in the hospital, and they can protect you if theyโre worn correctly. An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2019 suggested that N-95 masks arenโt more helpful in terms of preventing influenza. Attention to disinfecting surfaces, especially in commonly touched public areas, will be critical.
Will warmer weather help stop coronavirus? Is street spraying effective?
Dr. Frank McGeorge wants to verify or refute any information about the coronavirus, but there are also some questions experts still donโt know the answer to. McGeorge is discussing them because acknowldging what we donโt know is just as important as verifying information so people donโt rely on incorrect answers. Warm weather effectViewers from Van Buren Township and elsewhere have asked Local 4 if itโs true that warmer weather in the spring and summer will naturally stop the spread of coronavirus. A viewer from Garden City asked whether spraying streets and buildings with disinfectant is effective against coronavirus. The truth is experts donโt know that answer, either.
Will warmer weather help stop coronavirus? Is street spraying effective?
Will warmer weather help stop coronavirus? Is street spraying effective? Published: February 28, 2020, 5:48 pmThereโs a lot of information and misinformation out there about the coronavirus, so Local 4 is letting viewers submit questions so we can find verified answers.
Is a person with coronavirus contagious before they feel sick?
DETROIT โ Thereโs a lot of information and misinformation out there about the coronavirus, so Local 4 is letting viewers submit questions so we can find verified answers. Click here if you want to submit a question about the coronavirus. How long is a person contagious before symptoms? Local 4 received a this question from a viewer: โIs it true that a person with the coronavirus is contagious two weeks before they feel sick?โThe answer: potentially. That situation raises the possibility that the virus might be transmissible long before the illness is apparent.
Answering 3 popular questions about coronavirus outbreak
DETROIT โ Thereโs a lot of information and misinformation out there about the coronavirus, so Local 4 is letting viewers submit questions so we can find verified answers. Dr. Frank McGeorge will continue to work to get the most accurate information available on the outbreak. Local 4 received three questions from Pontiac, Highland Township and Fraser about where or not the flu shot or pneumonia vaccine can prevent a coronavirus infection. A viewer from Macomb Township wanted to know if the claim that COVID-19 sickens people for 10 to 15 days is true. Remember that about a month ago, there were questions about whether the coronavirus could spread from person to person.
How to boost your mood during the Michigan winter blues
However a few simple lifestyle changes can work to boost our moods. All forms of exercise are known to improve your mood, but instructor Sara Ruhlind said the deep breathing practiced in yoga can set it apart. If youโre just going to have fast food 24/7 then youโre going to have a fast food body and a fast food mind. She recommendsincorporating foods that are high in magnesium that can also help to improve our mood especially during the seasons when the sun is not shining. It is important to note that while lifestyle changes can improve your mood, they will not work for everyone.