Flu is showing up early, Oakland County doctors say
Emergency and primary care clinicians in Troy, Bloomfield Township, Waterford and Royal Oak told WDIV they are seeing early flu cases, along with RSV, COVID-19, strep and croup.
By OCJ Staff
Flu season is getting an early start in Oakland County, according to doctors and a nurse practitioner whose reports WDIV published over the past two weeks.
These are reports from clinics and emergency rooms, not county or state tracking data. But they point the same way.
What clinicians are seeing
- Corewell Health Beaumont Troy: Dr. David Donaldson, chief of the emergency center, said his staff is seeing more flu cases, along with more flare-ups of COPD and asthma, WDIV reported Oct. 16.
- Henry Ford Medical Center in Bloomfield Township: Primary care doctor Rena Daiza reported early flu cases, plus COVID-19, other viral colds, strep throat and stomach viruses, according to WDIV.
- Waterford: Nurse practitioner Deborah "Micki" Bailey said her clinic is treating Influenza A, colds, bronchitis and strep throat, WDIV reported.
- Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak: Dr. Whitney Minnock, pediatric emergency chief, told WDIV on Oct. 8 that the hospital's pediatric emergency department was starting to see both flu and RSV, along with a significant rise in croup.
What they recommend
Daiza, Minnock and Bailey all encouraged flu vaccination. Daiza called it "a reminder to get your annual flu shot," according to WDIV.
Bailey's advice, as reported by WDIV: stay current on vaccines, wash hands often or use sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home with a fever or significant respiratory symptoms. She also stressed fluids, sleep and good nutrition.
This story uses reporting from WDIV/ClickOnDetroit.