Recent Blog Posts

As we head closer to the peak of cold and flu season, it’s crucial to be aware of the various illnesses you may be at risk of contracting. Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral infection that starts to rapidly affect our communities in the late fall and through winter. In this case you may be wondering if it’s possible to get the flu twice in the same year. This blog ...

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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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During the fall and winter, many illnesses begin to spread rapidly in our communities. Two common conditions that tend to affect many individuals are strep throat and the flu. While both can leave you feeling under the weather for days, understanding their differences can help you seek the right treatment and recover faster. In this blog, we’ll explore the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for strep and the flu. For same-day general illness treatment ...

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As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, many people look forward to spending time in the beauty of autumn. However, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, this time of year can bring about unwelcome symptoms– like sneezing, itching, and congestion. If you find yourself suffering from allergy symptoms more often during October and November, this guide will help you navigate and cope with allergies so you can enjoy the fall months. For ...

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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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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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Mono (mononucleosis) surfaces as a result of a virus type known as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is most common among teens and adults, but some children can also become infected. While most people experience this virus mildly, others may not even be aware of its existence. It is important to note that the symptoms of mono are not distinguishable because they are common ones that exist for many other medical conditions. Some of these symptoms ...

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For people with allergies, experiencing a sore throat is not uncommon. This can occur when the body reacts to an allergen by producing excess mucus. This additional mucus can then drip from the nose down the back of the throat, a phenomenon known as postnasal drip. This can lead to irritation, causing the throat to feel scratchy, ticklish, or painful. Usually, people mistake a sore throat caused by allergies for a symptom of a cold ...

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Sports Physicals: Getting Ready to Go Back to School Before hitting the field, court, or track, there's a crucial checkpoint that ensures the well-being of our student-athletes: sports physicals.  These check-ups are a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and performance of young athletes. They not only fulfill school and sports league requirements but also serve as a comprehensive assessment to detect and prevent potential health issues. Book Now The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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The playground is filled with fun experiences as children play with their friends and families. However, anyone familiar with kids knows one cannot be too careful around them. Children are liable to fall during unstable movements or while running around.  Common Pediatric Injuries that Can Occur on the Playground Common pediatric injuries that occur on the playground include falls, fractures, sprains, cuts, bruises, and head injuries. It is essential to supervise children and ensure they ...

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Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen in females can indicate unique problems related to women’s health. Learn more about what can cause pain and when to seek medical attention. Where is the pain coming from? There are many organs on the left side of the abdomen. When experiencing lower left side pain, it could be coming from one of these organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic: Small intestine Colon Appendix Ovaries ...

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Sinus infection is not a foreign illness, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), acute sinusitis affects approximately 1 in 10 adults in the United States each year. It is safe to assume that you have a sinus infection whenever you feel a pressure build up in your ear, have a runny nose, and don’t feel good generally. If it is something minor, it resolves within seven to ten days ...

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From 2010 to 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were 9.4 million to 41 million flu illnesses every year. But there is an easy way to protect yourself — the flu shot. Studies show that the severity of the flu is significantly less if you catch the flu but are vaccinated. The CDC says the flu vaccine reduces the risk of seeing a doctor for the flu by 40% to ...

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I Have an STD, But I'm Not Sexually Active If you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but are not sexually active, there are a few reasons why this could be the case. "STD" refers to the constellation of diseases that result from a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For example, cervical cancer is an STD from the STI of HPV. Though it is possible to contract an STI even if you are not ...

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What does hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) look like? The symptoms can look different for kids and adults. See what the symptoms can be and how to treat them. What is Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease? HFMD is a common viral illness caused by the enterovirus, most commonly the coxsackievirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the disease primarily affects children under 5, but anyone, including adults, can contract it. It’s typically a mild illness. The disease ...

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If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...

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Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...

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While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Aurora Havana indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.    Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...

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So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Aurora Havana has answers, and treatment, for you.  Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...

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The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually.  This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...

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