Recent Blog Posts

What to Do If You Burn Yourself While Cooking during the Holidays

December 10, 2023

Holiday Kitchen Safety: What to Do If You Burn Yourself While Cooking The holidays bring a lot of travellers through Athens this time of year, whether to visit family or to venture out to the nearby Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s a busy time for everyone finishing up holiday shopping at shops like Greeks Bearing Gifts in downtown Athens or grabbing a quick bite to eat at local favorites like Jenkins Restaurant and Deli ...

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Is Going to Urgent Care Like Going to the Emergency Room?

December 1, 2023

Urgent care centers offer fast, convenient medical care for non-emergency illnesses and injuries. They are open extended hours and provide a cost-effective alternative to the ER. They also bridge the gap between primary and specialty care, streamlining referrals and follow-up treatments.

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What Illnesses Are Common During the Holiday Season?

November 15, 2023

The holiday season has arrived in the Athens area once more, and we are so excited to get started celebrating. No matter what holidays you observe or how you choose to celebrate, chances are that you will be spending a lot more time with friends and family at this time of year. All of this extra time means that the risk of getting sick increases as well, which can be problematic and can interrupt your ...

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Can You Get Strep Without Tonsils?

November 14, 2023

Is getting strep without tonsils possible? Yes. Strep throat is caused by bacteria that can live in the nose and mouth, spread through saliva or contact with contaminated surfaces. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red/swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes. Tonsillitis and strep throat are different. Strep throat is caused by bacteria, while tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or a virus. If you think you have tonsillitis or strep throat, visit an urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment.

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Here Are the Facts: Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia?

November 10, 2023

Bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, can sometimes develop into pneumonia if left untreated. This is more likely in individuals with weakened immune systems. Pneumonia is a lung infection with symptoms such as cough, chest pain, chills, and fever. Both conditions require medical attention, but treatments differ depending on the cause and severity.

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What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns

November 7, 2023

What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns So, what are the degrees of burns? If you’ve been wondering how to identify burns, we’ve got the answers for you. Burns are a common injury that can occur from various sources, including hot liquids, fire, chemicals, and sun exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is crucial ...

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What Does an Upper Respiratory Infection Feel Like?

November 5, 2023

Upper respiratory infections become much more common in the fall and winter months, and we are already seeing a spike in different infections across our community. While there are many different upper respiratory infections, RSV is one of the most common illnesses that impact us during this time of year. It has the potential to make certain populations really sick, so knowing what symptoms to look for is crucial. Read on as our AFC Urgent ...

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When Should I Get My Flu Shot This Year?

October 25, 2023

Can you believe it is already time to start talking about influenza? This year went by fast, and we are already starting to see flu cases rise around us for the season. Getting your flu shot early in the season helps give you the best protection against the most common strains of the flu for this upcoming year. Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team explains more about the flu and how to stay healthy ...

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Urgent Care Experts Offer Alternatives to Phenylephrine

October 7, 2023

As a prominent care provider of accessible primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine services nationwide, American Family Care (AFC) is uniquely positioned to guide and educate the public on pertinent health issues, such as the FDA’s recent decisions on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine.  The FDA held a Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee meeting on September 11-12, 2023, to deliberate on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough ...

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What Is Causing My Sore Throat?

October 2, 2023

No one wants to get sick, but it can be especially frustrating if you start to experience symptoms that are common across many illnesses. Is it COVID-19, strep throat, the flu or just a simple cold? A runny nose or a fever is probably not enough to diagnose yourself on your own, which is where we come in! Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team can evaluate your symptoms and offer a more reliable and ...

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Why You Should See an Urgent Care Doctor for Wart Removal

October 2, 2023

Why You Should See an Urgent Care Doctor for Wart Removal Home remedies for warts might not be as effective as you hope, so we recommend seeing an urgent care doctor for wart removal to treat these pesky growths at their source. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear almost anywhere on the body, causing both physical discomfort and self-consciousness. This article takes you through everything you need to know about ...

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Is COVID-19 Still Circulating?

September 15, 2023

It certainly has been a tumultuous few years dealing with the pandemic and various strains of the COVID-19 virus. We are grateful that the number of infections have dropped dramatically over the years, but it is still circulating throughout our community. In fact, there has recently been a rise in cases in the South. That means we all need to be vigilant and remember our prevention strategies so we can stay safe and healthy this ...

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Sports Physicals: Getting Ready to Go Back to School

September 10, 2023

Back-to-school sports physicals are vital for student athletes. They ensure health and meet requirements. Urgent care clinics offer quick, comprehensive exams with convenience and confidentiality. AFC provides affordable physicals, prioritizing your child's well-being.

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What Causes Falls at Home?

September 1, 2023

It is normal to experience all kinds of changes to your body as you age. While getting older is certainly a blessing, it can bring about challenges that you didn’t expect, including at-home falls. Falling or tripping when you were younger was often not a big deal and you would hop back up with maybe a bruise. When you are older, though, that same fall could lead to a serious injury like a broken ...

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What Does Smoking Do to Your Body?

August 16, 2023

Most health professionals will tell you that a well-rounded diet and exercise are crucial to your health. That is certainly true, but don’t forget about your daily routine! Poor habits, like smoking, have a direct impact on your overall health and can cause some serious health issues for you later in life. Tobacco is highly addictive, and it can be really hard to think about quitting. However, putting down the cigarettes for good will ...

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Can You Get an STD Without Having Sex?

August 11, 2023

If you have an STD but haven't been sexually active, you may have contracted it through sharing needles, tattoos/piercings, blood transfusions, or other means. Some STDs are asymptomatic but can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. AFC urgent care clinics offer confidential STD testing and treatment.

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What Symptoms Indicate an STD?

August 1, 2023

Contracting an STD is a common issue across the country! While the nature of the illness can be sensitive, it should be treated just like any other illness you come down with. Testing for it and treating your symptoms will help prevent the STD from getting worse, and it stops the spread from person to person. Your sexual health impacts your overall health, so you should always make it a priority. Getting tested for STDs ...

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What Lab Services Does AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN Offer?

August 1, 2023

Diagnosing and treating illnesses often takes some investigative work. While some illnesses are pretty straightforward and can be diagnosed with a simple physical exam, others require a bit more digging in order to find the right diagnosis. In order to do so, we have to have a few different diagnostic tools under our belts. One of these tools is our state-of-the-art lab we have right on site! This lab helps us run a wide variety ...

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How Can I Tell What Bug Bit Me?

July 13, 2023

If you enjoy spending time in the Great Outdoors, chances are you have encountered at least a few bug bites in your life. While most of them are just a mild annoyance and a bit itchy, they are normally nothing to worry about. However, if you don’t see what bit you immediately, it can be a bit worrisome! Allergic reactions can happen at any point, even if you have never had a reaction to ...

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How Common Is Alzheimer’s?

June 15, 2023

No one wants to think about the possibility of developing a memory disease as they age. Losing precious memories and connections with loved ones is hard on everyone involved. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are relatively common. In fact, there are almost 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s right now. Memory conditions are often genetic, but there are things you can do to support your brain as you age to help ...

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