SCARY: COVID, Flu and RSV Diseases Are Hitting Michigan Hard

Bad colds, sneezing, coughing, stomach cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, are all signs that something is really wrong. Should we be worried?

Viruses running through Michigan right now have doctors concerned as more and more cases are showing up with many hospitalizations. So, what is up?

COVID-19, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), are the bad actors here.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now lists Michigan among states with high flu activity. The newest numbers show the majority of cases spreading through the last week of December were types of influenza A with cases growing fast.

And, what about COVID? Is it still a problem?

The Detroit Free Press reported that Dr. Charles Gibson, vice president for medical affairs for Corewell Health here in western Michigan, said:

"Even though Michigan's COVID-19 hospitalizations haven't hit levels seen during pandemic peaks, hospitals statewide still are strained because they're also filled with flu and RSV patients along with others in need of care."

So what can you do about it? Think about getting vaccinated if you're not already, because it's not too late.

Seriously, it's not too late to get vaccines for all three viruses, monoclonal antibody treatments to protect infants and toddlers from RSV, and antiviral medications for flu and COVID-19.

It's been too politicized but vaccines do save lives. However, fewer than 10% of Michiganders are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines. And roughly only one quarter of Michigan residents — about 2.6 million people — have gotten a flu shot this season.

That's the lowest rate of flu vaccine uptake in four years.

Another pandemic? No! A serious health issue in Michigan? Yes!