Michigan Sees Rise in Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Illnesses as Holidays Approach
Across Southeast michigan, healthcare providers are reporting increases in a variety of illnesses - ranging from common colds and influenza to stomach viruses and respiratory infections – as temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors. The surge is prompting reminders about preventative measures like frequent handwashing.
In Washtenaw County, the Health Department notes influenza cases are currently at low levels, with both Influenza A & B wastewater detection also low in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Though, the dominant strain circulating this 2025-2026 influenza season is Influenza A H3N2. Notably, patients with underlying lung disease are experiencing increased exacerbations of COPD and asthma related to currently circulating upper respiratory infections compared to recent weeks.
Monroe County’s Dr. Nicholas Schenk of ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital Family Medicine Residency reports a “fair amount of non-specific viral upper respiratory infections,” primarily among school-age children. He states they haven’t seen meaningful cases of flu or COVID-19 in the past two weeks, emphasizing the importance of handwashing as people gather for the holidays.
Macomb County is seeing a significant rise in pediatric viral gastroenteritis, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dr. Joseph Carlier, an Emergency Physician at McLaren Macomb, notes these patients are testing negative for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Alongside the stomach viruses,a high volume of patients are presenting with symptoms of upper respiratory infections – slight fever,body aches,congestion,and cough. Dr. Carlier also reports a “noticeable number” of shingles diagnoses, alongside an increase in slip and fall injuries due to colder, slippery conditions.
Livingston County’s Dr.Bashar Yalldo of Henry Ford Byron Family Medicine- Howell confirms they are currently treating both children and adults for colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses.
