Recent Blog Posts

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads quickly among children, especially in schools and daycare centers. Each year, the flu season begins in the fall and peaks in the winter, making timely vaccination essential in protecting children’s health. Parents often wonder when their children should get their flu shot and what other precautions can help reduce flu cases. Here’s what you need to know. Save Your Spot When Should Children ...

Read more..

When temperatures rise, many people start feeling unusually tired, sluggish, or mentally foggy, even after a good night's sleep. While it's easy to blame the heat alone, one often-overlooked culprit is dehydration. In summer, your body loses more fluids through sweat, and if you don't replace them properly, it can lead to a drop in energy levels.  Dehydration can usually be prevented, and mild cases can be treated at home. However, if ...

Read more..

Swimming is a fun and healthy activity for kids, especially during hot seasons or family vacations. However, many parents worry when their child starts to complain about ear pain after a swim. So, can swimming really cause ear infections? The short answer is yes, particularly a condition known as swimmer's ear or otitis externa. This happens when water gets trapped in the ear canal, creating a moist environment perfect for bacteria or fungi to ...

Read more..

Do you have a rash that has suddenly appeared after being outside? In the summertime there are many different circumstances that can lead to skin irritation and cause a rash. Exposure to poison ivy is common during the warmer months if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors. It can grow anywhere, including in urban spaces, and contact with a poison ivy plant causes a very irritated and itchy skin rash for ...

Read more..

Spending too much time in the sun can do more than cause a painful sunburn. It can lead to a serious condition known as sun poisoning. Often mistaken for a severe sunburn, sun poisoning is an extreme reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this article, we'll explore how to tell if you have sun poisoning and discuss the most effective treatment options to help your skin and body recover. If you’re experiencing symptoms ...

Read more..

If you’re spending time outdoors this summer, it’s possible that you may accidentally come into contact with poison ivy. If you do, one important question to ask is: what can you do to prevent a poison ivy rash from forming? Poison ivy is a common allergen for many people and contact with the plant will often lead to a severe skin rash. Keep reading to learn more about what to do if you ...

Read more..

Feeling ear pain, headaches, or having trouble balancing? You may have an ear infection! Ear infections are very common conditions, especially during the summer months. They occur when fluid gets trapped deep inside your ear canal, causing bacteria to grow and cause an infection. In some cases, ear infections can resolve on their own, but they often require antibiotics to manage symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an ear infection, AFC Urgent Care Back ...

Read more..

Springtime can bring beautiful flowers, warmer weather, and more hours of sun. But springtime also brings many people seasonal allergy symptoms. Springtime allergies affect millions of people every year, and symptoms can vary from person to person depending on the severity of the allergy. While irritation in the throat is a common symptom of seasonal allergies, coughing up mucus is not a typical symptom of springtime allergies. If you’re experiencing symptoms like a productive ...

Read more..

Injuries can happen without warning. While a minor cut may not require urgent medical treatment, it is important to understand warning signs that suggest your injury needs care from a medical professional. Even small injuries can become infected or have healing complications without proper care. If you’re in need of rapid care for a minor injury, AFC Urgent Care Back Bay is here to help. Our walk-in urgent care clinic offers same-day injury care ...

Read more..

The sinuses are very delicate cavities that help drain mucus from the nose and any infection there can mean big trouble. Sinus infections cause inflammation, causing pain and congestion. These are obvious symptoms anyone can observe, but what are some other early symptoms of sinusitis? Let's find out about how you can spot early warning signs of sinus infection. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a sinus infection, AFC Urgent Care Back Bay is ...

Read more..

Strep throat is known to cause a severe sore throat. Although sore throats can occur for many different reasons, strep throat differs quite a bit from just having sore throat. The infection is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Streptococcus, as opposed to the virus responsible for the common cold, is quite potent and usually leads to a severe sore throat. Let's take a closer look in this article as to how it's transmitted and ...

Read more..

HFMD is often perceived as an illness that only impacts young children, but adults can get hand, foot, and mouth, too. Dispelling the myth that HFMD exclusively affects children is critical, especially since adults may not realize they're carrying the virus and could inadvertently spread it. Save Your Spot What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children, typically those under the age of five. It ...

Read more..

When your little one develops a fever, it's natural to worry and wonder, "How long do fevers last in infants?" Fevers are often the body's way of fighting infections by creating a less hospitable environment for germs. While fevers can seem concerning, they are usually not harmful and often resolve on their own. Save Your Spot Understanding How Long Fevers Last in Infants In most cases, fevers in infants last around two to three days ...

Read more..

Are sugar rushes real? For decades, many parents have believed in the idea of a “sugar rush,” a phenomenon where kids become hyperactive after consuming sugary snacks or drinks. This belief has led to widespread efforts to limit sugar intake, especially during times when parents want their children to stay calm and focused. Despite its popularity, scientific research shows that the so-called sugar rush is actually a myth. In this blog post, we'll explore ...

Read more..

Winter weather can bring uncomfortable conditions. Dry skin is something that is not life threatening, but can be incredibly frustrating to manage during the colder month. Dry indoor air, terrible winter, and low humidity can all contribute to unbearably dry skin. If you’re someone who suffers from dry skin in the winter and you’re looking for tips to overcome dry and cracking skin, keep reading. This article will review causes of dry skin ...

Read more..

Nasal congestion can be an irritating illness symptom to deal with. Congestion can occur due to a variety of different conditions including a cold, the flu, and allergies among others. In most cases, congestion will resolve on its own within a few days. However, in severe cases, congestion can lead to secondary infections such as sinus infections. It is important to seek medical treatment if you have severe illness symptoms so that you can treat ...

Read more..

Does menopause make you tired? Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years. While it’s often associated with hot flashes and mood swings, many women also experience persistent fatigue during this transition. Feeling tired or low on energy can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when combined with other menopause symptoms. Save Your Spot Understanding Menopause Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when a woman’s ...

Read more..

You may wonder, "What is the best diet for irritable bowel syndrome?" The answer depends on your unique symptoms and needs, but several dietary strategies have been known to bring relief. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects millions of people, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all cure for IBS, making thoughtful changes to your diet can play a significant role in ...

Read more..

A wrist sprain is painful and can worsen without proper care. Explore options for treatment and when to seek medical attention. Save Your Spot Table of Contents How To Tell if You Have a Sprained Wrist Severity of Sprained Wrists How To Treat a Sprained Wrist How To Heal a Sprained Wrist Fast Sprained Wrist Medical Devices Should I Go to the ER or Urgent Care? Activities to Avoid With a Sprained Wrist Visit AFC for Help ...

Read more..

A runny nose in cold weather is common. Although a runny nose may leave you wondering if you’re starting to get sick, runny noses can happen for a variety of different reasons. During the winter, cold air can cause the blood vessels in the nasal passages to constrict, leading the body to produce more mucus as a protective response. This excess mucus is intended to warm and humidify the air before it reaches the ...

Read more..