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 – Whooping cough, strep throat, COVID, viral illnesses, colds, influenza.
Dr. Kelly Levasseur — Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
“We’re seeing strep throat and COVID, along with other viral illnesses that have cold symptoms and fevers. We’re also seeing the number of patients with whooping cough, or pertussis, which is preventable by vaccination, way up. Older kids get this cough that lasts for weeks and weeks. The worst is the infants younger than two months who don’t yet qualify for the vaccine who get pertussis; they can end up intubated because they just can’t breathe. The pertussis vaccine is part of the DTaP vaccine series, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Kids typically get five doses of the vaccine when they’re 2, 4 and 6 months, then at 18 months and 4 and 6. And we highly recommend pregnant women get the TDaP vaccine in the early part of their third trimester to protect their infants.”
Dr. Zafar Shamoon — Emergency Center Chief, Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital
“With the school year back in full swing, we’re seeing a noticeable uptick in cold and flu cases among children. It’s a timely reminder for families to reinforce good hand hygiene and ensure kids are getting adequate sleep to support their immune systems. We also want to highlight an important safety issue: car seat positioning. One of my young patients recently suffered a serious knee injury because her seat wasn’t rear-facing. While many assume age is the determining factor, it’s actually weight that guides proper car seat orientation. Local fire departments are a great resource for families—they can help ensure seats are installed correctly and safely.”
Dr. Ayed Mahmoud — Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Medicine Physician
“We’re seeing several common conditions — cellulitis and other soft tissue infections, especially in people with diabetes, remain frequent. Please keep skin clean, protect your feet, and seek care early for redness or swelling. We’re also seeing many upper respiratory infections in children; handwashing, staying home when sick, and keeping vaccinations current help prevent spread.”
Dr. Angela Groves — Chief of Emergency Services, DMC Harper University Hospital
“We’re seeing the normal things that bring patients to the emergency department: chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, passing out, falls and seizures.”
OAKLAND COUNTY— Strep throat, colds, upper respiratory infections, sports & outdoor injuries, respiratory infections, COVID.
Dr. Rena Daiza — Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Bloomfield Twp.
“We’re seeing a rise in COVID infections. To help prevent spread and manage symptoms, encourage patients to stay up to date on vaccines, practice good hygiene, wear masks in high-risk areas, rest, stay hydrated, and use over-the-counter remedies as needed. Home tests are widely available. Patients should stay home when sick, return after 24 hours fever-free, and wear a mask in public for 5 days.”
Dr Jim Getzinger — Emergency Center Physician, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital
“We’re seeing the usual uptick in outdoor activity injuries—sprains, fractures, and bumps from sports and play. Respiratory infections, including COVID-19, are also on the rise, likely influenced by poor air quality. Patients with asthma or other conditions are especially feeling the impact, so limiting outdoor exertion on high-pollution days is a smart move.”
Dr. Steve McGraw — Emergency Department, Henry Ford Providence Southfield/Novi
“Common sports injuries that occur in the fall season are being seen at a higher rate. Also seeing back to school communicable infections like strep throat, colds, other viral upper respiratory infections.”
WASHTENAW COUNTY – COVID, croup, colds, asthma flare-ups, upper respiratory infections, stomach viruses.
Dr. Brad Uren — Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine
“We’re still seeing a lot of upper respiratory infections this week. COVID is also fairly prevalent. We are also starting to see a noticeable increase in GI illness with abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”
Dr. Stuart Bradin — Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine
“We’ve seen a ton of croup, rhinoenterovirus, asthma , ortho-related trauma and some cases of COVID.”
MONROE COUNTY – Viral infections, colds, strep throat.
ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Emergency Center
“We’re seeing an increase in viral infections, colds and strep throat. With school back in session, germs are spreading quickly, especially among school-aged children. We recommend practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer. Avoid sharing drinks, and always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing to help prevent the spread of illness.”
MACOMB COUNTY – Viral infections, strep throat, sports injuries, stomach viruses, COVID, influenza, asthma flare-ups.
Dr. Matthew Steck — Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb
“There continues to be a rise in the occurrence of mostly school-aged children being treated for viral infections, with symptoms of congestion, cough, and runny nose, with some patients diagnosed with strep throat. Sports-related injuries among youth athletes continue to be treated in high volumes within the trauma center. While not yet being diagnosed and treated in the anticipated volumes during the traditional cold and flu season, there continues to be a low but steady volume of patients with gastroenteritis.”
Dr. Maria Samuel — Primary Care Physician, Henry Ford Medical Center Sterling Heights
“We are seeing COVID cases rising, some flu cases, and asthma flares going around.”
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – COVID, colds, asthma flare-ups.
Trinity Health Livingston Emergency Department & Brighton Medical Center
“We have had a handful of symptomatic COVID cases in Livingston over the past week.”