Recent Blog Posts

Can Kids Get Seasonal Allergies?

Spring is here, and that means so is tree and grass pollen! Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year, so this time of year may not be as welcomed by these folks. You can develop seasonal allergies at any point, but most people have their first flareup before age 20. That means it is certainly possible for your young children to develop seasonal allergies. If you are trying to determine if your child ...

Read more..

What Is Mono and What Are the Symptoms?

So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Ballantyne 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 ...

Read more..

Telehealth Urgent Care | Technology in the Healthcare Industry

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 ...

Read more..

Why Do Kids Get More Ear Infections?

Ear infections are one of the most common infections to get, especially in young children. In fact, most children have at least one ear infection before they start kindergarten! Having ear pain is a classic symptom of an ear infection, but it doesn’t necessarily have to occur in order to have one. Check out our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team’s latest blog below to learn more about ear infections. Where Do Ear Infections ...

Read more..

AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne: Hometown Care You Can Trust

When the entire world dealt with the effects of the pandemic, each community and industry had to shift to either stay open or continue to provide a service. That certainly was the case with the healthcare industry! We are grateful for the perseverance of our community, and we are happy to share that the pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May! That means that certain processes and procedures that were in place ...

Read more..

How Much Sleep Should I Be Getting?

Getting enough sleep at night has more benefits than just avoiding excess sleepiness when your alarm goes off. In addition to helping you power through your day, it is crucial for maintaining your immune system and helping your entire body function better. Also, quality sleep is important for your mental health and can help you focus all day and even learn more efficiently. We love sleep! Our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team explains why you ...

Read more..

Do Urgent Care Providers Offer On-Site Lab Services?

Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...

Read more..

All Blocked Up? Here Are a Few Sinus Infection Cures

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery.  If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...

Read more..

The Many Benefits of Visiting an Urgent Care Provider

Local urgent care centers in Ballantyne, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room.  Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...

Read more..

When Should I Worry About Bronchitis or Pneumonia?

Any time you have a deep or barking cough when you are sick, it can indicate that you have developed some sort of upper respiratory infection. Bronchitis and pneumonia are both infections that can start with similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell what you are suffering from on your own. It is important to remember that most upper respiratory infections stay mild to moderate and never require professional medical attention. People with ...

Read more..

Urgent Care vs Emergency Room: The Key Differences

What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers.    What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...

Read more..

Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder or Depression?

Your mental health is a crucial part of your overall well-being. This is especially true in the winter months when our lifestyles change up and we spend more time indoors. While some of us get through the season by looking forward to summer, the winter season can cause the appearance of seasonal affective disorder for others. Mild periods of sadness throughout the year are common and usually nothing to be concerned about. However, if your ...

Read more..

Does the Flu Come on Suddenly?

Influenza is certainly making itself comfortable across the nation this season. Because of the large number of flu cases this year, it is important to refresh your memory about the symptoms to be on the lookout for during the remainder of the winter months. In addition to getting your annual flu shot as soon as possible, we also encourage everyone in your family to practice proper hand hygiene and stay home when sick. Our AFC ...

Read more..

How Do I Know If I Have an Infection?

Are you feeling under the weather? At this point during the season, it is not uncommon to experience an illness (or two) by now. Getting sick is never convenient, so when you do fall ill, it is important to know what you are suffering from so you can seek the proper treatment. Infections can be viral or bacterial, and each situation requires a different treatment plan. Check out AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne’s latest blog ...

Read more..

What Body Temperature Indicates a Fever?

With so many illnesses circulating about, chances are either you or someone in your household has been sick recently. While all these illnesses can produce different symptoms, one common symptom is a fever. Our bodies naturally experience fevers in order to fight against infection and are actually working to help you feel better! Our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team explains the benefits of fevers below, so keep reading. How Does a Fever Help You Heal ...

Read more..

What Are the Benefits of a Yearly Flu Shot?

Getting a flu shot at the start of every flu season is recommended for all eligible people 6 months and older. It can prevent you from getting sick altogether and it can keep you from getting seriously sick if you do end up coming down with influenza. We are so pleased to offer the flu vaccine to our community! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne can provide you with protection from the flu today ...

Read more..

What Kinds of Headaches Are Serious?

Chances are that you have probably had at least one headache in your lifetime. Headaches can be caused by so many different things that they are one of the most common ailments! In the majority of cases, headaches are caused by minor issues and can be remedied at home. However, in rare circumstances, headaches may indicate a serious medical condition that requires emergency assistance right away. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team ...

Read more..

When Should I Suspect RSV in My Baby?

The weather is cooling down, the holidays are right around the corner, and cold and flu season is ramping up! Getting sick is never on anyone’s to-do list, but this time of year is the perfect environment for multiple illnesses to thrive. One illness that you need to watch out for in your home is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. This virus has the potential to make your infant or small child really sick ...

Read more..

What Happens When You Take Antibiotics?

Did you know that prescription antibiotics have been around for less than 100 years? Before that, developing a bacterial infection was incredibly deadly! A third of all deaths back then were attributed to complications due to an infection. We are so thankful for antibiotics. Nowadays, a quick prescription can have you feeling back to normal in no time. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne shares the details about antibiotics below. How ...

Read more..

What Does It Feel Like to Have Vertigo?

A vertigo attack can appear suddenly and be debilitating. It is much more than just a simple dizziness from time to time! Instead, vertigo makes your world spin around you and your entire surroundings can shift before your eyes and seemingly beneath your feet. While your environment is spinning, it can be hard to accomplish anything or simply move through your day. While vertigo can be a diagnosis, it is important to note that vertigo ...

Read more..

Recent Blogs

When Does My Child Need Stitches for a Playground Cut?

From climbing structures to running across the playground, kids are always on the move and sometimes that means bumps, scrapes, and cuts ...

Read More

Can’t Breathe This Spring? How to Tell if It’s Allergies or a Sinus Infection

When spring arrives, so do blooming trees, longer days, and for many people, relentless congestion. If you’re dealing with sinus pressure ...

Read More

How Long Am I Contagious If I Have the Flu?

If you’ve come down with the flu, one of the first questions that usually comes up is, “How long am I ...

Read More