Recent Blog Posts

Visit AFC Urgent Care Beverly for Your Seasonal Allergy Needs With allergy season upon us, it can be tempting to schedule a visit with your primary care physician to find some relief. Unfortunately, trying to set up a doctor’s visit can result in a logistical nightmare as you struggle to schedule a timely appointment that fits in your busy schedule. You can avoid the hassle by visiting an American Family Care (AFC) location. AFC ...

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If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that the months when your allergen is most active in the air can be the most awful of the year. But allergies are unique to each individual, so a seasonal allergy sufferer can actually experience the worst symptoms any time of the year. Here’s a month-by-month guide to which allergens become prevalent when, so you can know when to visit us at AFC Urgent Care Beverly ...

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Spring has sprung! Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising and birds are chirping. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, “Ah, spring,” might soon turn into “Ah-choo, spring!” Seasonal allergies, sometimes called hay fever, are allergy symptoms that happen during certain times of the year, usually when outdoor plants release their spores. Trees, grasses and weeds are all releasing pollen into the air. These spores and pollen can cause congestion, cough and sneezing in people with ...

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By the time you’re reading this, the first tip-off of the NCAA tournament has already commenced, signaling the start of 2017’s March Madness. The NCAA National Championship Tournament, or March Madness, begins with 64 college basketball teams competing for the ultimate honor in college sports. Although it only requires 6 consecutive wins in order to be hailed the champion, March Madness stands as the most chaotic tournament in all of professional and collegiate ...

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Each year, March is recognized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as National Nutrition Month. This initiative aims to raise awareness about how vital it is for everyone to eat healthily and to avoid unhealthy eating habits. National Nutrition Month also accounts for the healthy lifestyle choices outside of food and beverage consumption to highlight the importance of exercise. Having National Nutrition Month in March a ton of sense considering many have abandoned their ...

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This Valentine’s Day, show your loved one you care by sharing your love, not your germs. Date nights are no fun at all if you both wind up sick, so here are our top tips for keeping you (and your date) healthy this Valentine’s Day. If You’re Sick, Postpone It may put a damper on your plans, but if you or your date are sick, do both of you a favor and ...

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Coughing, sore throat and fever, oh my! Your child is definitely sick, but with what? The cold and flu viruses can often be tricky for parents to tell apart because many of the symptoms are the same, but there are several signs that your child has more than just a cold. Here’s what to look for: Fever If your child has the flu, it will often be accompanied by a high fever. A child ...

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If you’ve gotten your flu shot already, great job! You’re much better protected against getting the flu this flu season. And if you still haven’t gotten your yearly flu shot yet, there’s no time to waste! Protecting yourself against the flu is vital to your health, as well as the health of those around you, and as we approach peak flu season you’re more likely than before to catch the ...

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At the start of every new year, we all make resolutions to improve our health and our daily lives. But often, in the hustle and bustle of the new year, we end up forgetting or neglecting our resolutions, and which makes our goals that much harder to accomplish. This year, why not break from that pattern, and choose resolutions that will have a big impact on your life without taking an enormous effort? Choosing high-impact ...

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The holiday season has already started, and so has flu season. That’s why the CDC has designated the week of December 4 – 10, 2016, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. Once November ends and the holiday season starts, people tend to forget about getting their flu shot. In fact, research from past flu seasons has shown that very few people get a flu shot after the end of November. And not only that, but last ...

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If you’re expecting a little one within the next nine months, you probably have a lot on your mind. Between the doctor’s visits, prenatal classes, prepping the baby’s room and stocking up on everything you will need, preparing for your baby’s arrival can be exhausting. Among everything else you have to do, it can be easy to forget to get your flu shot! Getting a flu shot is especially important for ...

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Keep Your Friends and Family Healthy This Holiday Season This Thanksgiving, pass the turkey, not the flu! Illnesses, such as the flu, can be transferred through sneezing, coughing or surface contamination. According to the CDC, germs can live approximately two hours on surfaces such as door knobs or kitchen counters. With a few preventative steps, your friends and family will be able relax and focus on the fun and food, rather than worrying about sore ...

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Summer might be fun, and spring is lovely, but the best season has got to be fall. The changing leaves, the brisk winds and the warm fires bring everyone closer, and the leisure activities can’t be beat. Over a third of Americans list fall as their favorite season, blowing all of the other seasons out of the water. However,  fall requires a change of habits to stay healthy, especially as the days grow shorter ...

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For many kids, the summer is a three-month-long outdoor adventure, and they celebrate the warm weather and free time by riding bikes, hiking and playing sports. But as the school year begins, it can become harder for families to carve out the time to be active and stay healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids are getting less physical activity and more junk food than ever, which can lead to a ...

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September is Healthy Aging Month, and AFC Urgent Care is dedicated to helping our patients maintain healthy and happy lives as they age. As you age, your healthcare needs become more unique. Situations might arise that are scarier as a senior adult than they would have been if you were 20 years younger. At AFC Urgent Care, we understand the special nature of senior adult health concerns, and we are equipped to provide a positive ...

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As a parent, you want your child to do well in school. The best way to ensure their success is to give them the tools and the fuel they need to do well, both in the classroom and in life. We’ve got you covered there, with our blog last week on back-to-school health kits, and now we’ve got more information for you! The team at AFC Urgent Care has put together a list ...

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When your child returns to school, it can often mean a renewed exposure to germs and possible injuries. AFC Urgent Care has a tried and true list of recommendations to keep your kids healthy, even when they aren’t with you. Here is our back-to-school health kit, a complete list of the portable tools and items that can make the school day much healthier, without much effort on your part. This health kit can fit ...

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Nighttime fireworks shows, long stays at summer camp, family vacations and the late sunsets of summertime are some of the many joys your child may have experienced during their summer vacation. But getting to take part in these fun-filled moments over the past few months may also mean your child was allowed to have some later bedtimes than normal. Now that school is back in session, you may be wondering how these late bedtimes over ...

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Vaccinations are one of the biggest public health innovations in history. Because of the myriad vaccines we have available, we have completely or nearly eliminated several devastating diseases, saving countless lives in the process. Diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough and chickenpox can be debilitating, or even fatal. In order to keep your children — and other students— healthy, you must ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date before school starts. AFC Urgent Care is there for you ...

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