Viral diseases, Covid, sore throat, stomach viruses, seasonal allergies

Here's our weekly roundup of the illnesses spreading most in metro Detroit communities, according to our local doctors and hospitals.

Wayne County – Viral Illnesses, Covid, Strep Throat, Stomach Viruses, Upper Respiratory Infections, Seasonal Allergies

Dr. Brandon Cheppa – Emergency Physician at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital

“We still have a significant number of Covid cases and are heading into cold and flu season. Healthcare workers are already hearing that it's time for flu shots, and the CDC recommends September or October are the best months for vaccinations. Also, with the change in temperature and the few cold nights, we've seen some early cold exposure injuries, but no full-blown frostbite. The weather is a little harsher for some of our homeless and college kids who are wearing t-shirts and shorts in 100-degree heat and using drugs and alcohol. And with football season in full swing, we've seen tailgating injuries, like fall injuries. And especially if you have a medical condition and are doing these things, you want to be with a person who can make sober decisions for you or transport you if you need it.”

Dr. Jennifer Stevenson – Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Fairlane

“Many of the patients who came to us tested positive for COVID. I also saw many cases of strep throat. I expect that as schools resume, we will see more contagious infections. We continue to recommend good hand hygiene!”

Dr. Kevin Dazy – Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Michigan

“We are seeing a lot of viral diseases and a whole lot of Covid. Parents should teach their children at school the importance of handwashing as this always helps to reduce the transmission of germs.”

Dr. Glen Clark – Chief of Emergency Department, Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital

“There have been very few COVID cases recently. We're still seeing some viral gastroenteritis and upper respiratory infections. Many flu swabs have been negative. Allergies are in full swing.”

Oakland County – COVID, upper respiratory viruses, stomach viruses, strep throat

Dr. Susan Bork – Director, Emergency Department, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak

“Returning to school correlates with the spread of germs! There has been a rise in COVID cases, but fortunately it often presents as a cold that cannot be distinguished from other viruses without a swab. Fortunately, we now treat COVID in healthy people the same way we treat other viruses with over-the-counter symptom control measures. Aside from COVID, other upper respiratory viruses are also slowly increasing and appear to be spreading in schools. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of disease!”

Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Department

“We have seen a slight increase in COVID patients as well as some common viral gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”

Washtenaw County – Seasonal Allergies, Covid, Upper Respiratory Infections, Asthma Attacks, Mycoplasma Pneumonia

University of Michigan Health

“This week there has been a significant increase in COVID diagnoses and several other upper respiratory infections are also circulating to a lesser extent. There is also an increase in children with asthma or asthma-like symptoms – unclear whether this is just a typical cause of falls or a single specific virus. There is also an increase in mycoplasma pneumonia, which is not typical.”

Washtenaw County Health Department

“The number of flu cases among Washtenaw County residents is currently low. Sporadic cases of flu A and flu B are being reported. The number of flu-related hospitalizations among Washtenaw residents is low.”

Monroe County – No report this week

Macomb County – COVID, upper respiratory infections, stomach viruses, seasonal allergies, respiratory problems

Dr. Anthony Joslin – Emergency physician at McLaren Macomb

“The rise in COVID-19 cases has continued to bring patients to the emergency department, although the vast majority of patients have only mild symptoms. The warming after the recent cooling has led to a significant increase in patients with allergic complications, of which respiratory symptoms are the most serious. Neither COVID-19 nor flu tests, sinus congestion and chest congestion, and sore throat as symptoms of upper respiratory infection were common in the emergency department. With the start of high school sports, the trend for orthopedic injuries and soft tissue injuries has increased.”

Dr. Maria Samuel – General Practitioner, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights

“We are seeing COVID cases, upper respiratory infections and gastroenteritis (stomach flu).”

Livingston County – COVID, stomach viruses, seasonal allergies

Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department

“We have also seen a slight increase in COVID cases. Also in gastrointestinal complaints.”