Nasty, Highly Contagious Viruses Sweeping Through Michigan

Just in time for the holidays! Michigan transforms into a wonderland of snow, holiday cheer, and relentless season viruses that will potentially make your upcoming time off from work miserable. As we deck the halls and sip on hot cocoa, a band of unwelcome microbial misfits have hitched a ride with you from work, your child from school, or anyone this time of year shopping in crowded stores.

Here's a breakdown of Michigan's top viral invaders, who are hitching a ride on the little ones and kids returning home from college.

Parvovirus B19: The Slapped Cheek Scrooge

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Nothing screams "holiday spirit" like red, rosy cheeks—unless it's a rash with a fever. Parvovirus B19, charmingly called "slapped cheek disease," reminds us that winter is full of surprises than what's under the tree.

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This virus is contagious before the rash even hits, spreading like glitter at a kindergarten Christmas party. Thankfully, most people only get it once, and by the time the rash shows up, the party is over.

RSV: The Not-So-Silent Night

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RSV, or Really Stubborn Virus (not its official name, but fitting), is the reason your pediatrician might look exhausted. A leading cause of hospitalizations for babies, RSV is sneaky, highly contagious, and comes with a runny nose, fever, and a cough that turns into wheezing.

Fortunately, new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines and medications mean fewer ER visits.

Flu: Michigan's Evergreen Menace

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The flu (influenza, if you're being technical) is as classic as a Christmas tree, but it is always in season. This year,, you can expect fevers, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.

On behalf of your family and friends, please stay home if you experience any of these symptoms. We'll bring you some leftovers.

COVID: The Ghose of Pandemics Past

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Still lingering, like the guest that won't take a hint, COVID is gearing up for another winter wave. A fresh vaccine for 2024-25 promises better protection.

If you've got a dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and/or you've lost your sense of taste and smell, chances are you're the recipient of Mother Nature's new favorite bug, COVID-19. Whatever illness creeps into our lives, a Michigander's best way to avoid them all is to wash your hands, cover your coughs, and keep your germs to yourself.

Newsweek's Top 10 Hospitals in Michigan for 2024

Newsweek examined data, patient, nurse, and doctor surveys, among other statistics (for complete methodology, see the link in the #1 entry) to determine which hospitals in Michigan offered the best healthcare. Here's a look at Newsweek's Top Ten Best-In-State Hospitals for Michigan in 2024.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

The Most Deadly 10 Miles of Road in Every State

If you've ever 'white-knuckled' your way through traffic, there's a good chance it happened in one of the United States' 50 worst traffic areas. WorldPopulationReview researched information from Car Insurance Comparison and Elk+Elk Lawfirm and determined which portion of the road had the most fatal crashes between 2000 and 2019. Here's a look at The Most Deadly 10 Miles of Road in Every State.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Michigan Department of Corrections Most Wanted Fugitives

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) has a long, storied history, which includes hundreds of unsuccessful prison breaks. That said, some have been successful enough that nearly 50 years later, some Michigan fugitives are still running from justice. Here's a look at the MDOC's Most Wanted Fugitives and Absconders

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

The Ten Snobbiest Towns in Michigan

RoadSnacks.net did the research, looking at libraries, museums, and private schools per capita, throwing in the percentage of residents with college educations, housing costs, and median income to determine Michigan's most stuck-up town. Here's a look at the Ten Snobbiest Towns in Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Michigan's 5 Most Common Winter Bugs: How to Keep Them Out

Michigan's Falls may be filled with color, but while we're looking up and admiring the trees, bugs are slipping in through tiny little crevices in your home that are essentially little welcome mats for the state's top 5 winter pests. When you're battling bugs, you go to someone who's in the trenches, so I asked Bob Yoakman, Mason, Michigan's Bug Man, for tips on how to keep Michigan's 5 Most Common Winter Bugs at bay.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Source: Nasty, Highly Contagious Viruses Sweeping Through Michigan

Filed Under: Michigan Winter, Michigan Winters, Michigan Health Warnings