Here’s our weekly round-up of what illnesses are spreading the most in Metro Detroit communities, according to our local ...

When out in nature, we all know you’re not supposed to wander into the bushes. But things happen. You take a wrong turn or ...

Poison ivy, or Toxicodendron radicans, is a climbing vine and less commonly a free-standing shrub, according to botanist Susan Pell, deputy executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden.

“Do not burn poison ivy, since the urushiol travels with the smoke and causes breathing irritation,” warns Kauffman. And don’t add it to your compost as the urushiol persists.

Photo of poison ivy. Poison ivy belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, and there are about 30 species that grow in the Americas, but mostly Asia, according to the American Museum of Natural History.

Never burn poison ivy, because the smoke would contain toxins that could be fatal if inhaled. When you’re finished, don’t touch your door. Don’t get yourself a drink.

The CVS MinuteClinic in York is seeing poison ivy, allergies and pink eye this week. UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics is seeing strep throat and viral syndrome this week.

Poison ivy has compound leaves with three leaflets per leaf. The middle leaflet has a longer stalk than the two side leaflets, and there is often a red mark in the middle where they meet on the stem.

Poison ivy may be the poster child for dangerous plants in Texas, a state full of them from bull nettle to poison oak. Other adverse Texas plants include buttercup, azalea and pokeweed.

Where to watch out: Poison ivy grows all over Tennessee and bordering states, according to poison-ivy.org, so keep an eye out for it whenever you go on outdoor excursions.

Where to watch out: Poison ivy grows all over Ohio, and all over all of the states directly bordering the state, according to poison-ivy.org so keep an eye out for it whenever you go on outdoor ...