Recent Blog Posts

Bronchitis is a condition caused by swelling and inflammation in the bronchial tubes in your lungs. One of the most common symptoms of bronchitis is a severe dry cough that is difficult to control. Many different conditions can lead to a case of bronchitis, including viral infections like colds and the flu. Symptoms of bronchitis can be severe, so it is important to identify your symptoms early and seek treatment before your symptoms become severe ...

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Sore throats can be irritating, and sometimes make it difficult to eat and drink. It can be difficult to diagnose the underlying cause of a sore throat at home. In most cases, mild sore throats will resolve on their own in a few days, but if your symptoms keep coming back or worsen with time, it is time to seek medical care. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, we provide rapid sore throat diagnosis and ...

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Coughing is a natural reflex that clears your airway of debris. When you’re sick and fighting off a respiratory tract infection, a persistent and severe cough can occur. While some coughs go away on their own, there are certain conditions which will require treatment by a medical professional, including bacterial infections. It can be difficult to determine whether your cough is caused by a viral or bacterial infection, however, symptoms like a very severe ...

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Feeling stuffed up while you’re sick is a common symptom. Nasal congestion can be very uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of. When it’s not properly managed, nasal congestion can lead to severe symptoms like sinus pain and headaches. If you’re feeling under the weather and suffering from congestion, keep reading to learn how to quickly and effectively relieve sinus pressure. Congestion can be difficult to clear up, and in severe cases ...

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Now that the weather is cooling down, illness cases are rising. While the weather doesn’t directly cause illnesses, it forces us indoors which increases the spread of illnesses through uncirculated air and commonly touched surfaces picking up germs. RSV, Colds and the Flu are all common illnesses in the fall and winter months, but how do you know which illness is causing your symptoms? Keep reading to learn more about diagnosing common illnesses like ...

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Waking up with a sore throat can be an unpleasant start to the day. Sore throats can be caused by many different conditions. While waking up with a sore throat could simply be caused by snoring or dry air, it is also a common symptom caused by colds and infections like strep throat. Understanding common causes of a sore throat can help you know how to treat yourself and when to seek medical care for ...

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Bee stings can be extremely painful. While bees are not aggressive in most cases, you may still catch yourself in an unpleasant encounter with one if you’re spending time outdoors. If you do catch yourself getting stung by a bee, it is important to know how to respond to reduce your discomfort. This article will review how to heal a bee sting quickly if you are stung this fall. Bee stings are a common ...

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During the back-to-school season, illnesses can spread like wildfire. Sore throats are a very common symptom that can be caused by a variety of different illnesses. There’s nothing worse than having a sick kid at home. The fastest way to ensure your child can get back to the classroom when they’re sick is to accurately diagnose the cause of their symptoms so that you can treat it effectively. This article will review some ...

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The flu is a very contagious viral infection that can cause you to get very sick. While symptoms usually go away on their own, symptoms can be intense. It is essential to take preventive steps like getting your flu shot to prevent severe flu symptoms. This article will review tips for treating the flu, however, you should always seek a formal medical diagnosis by a medical professional if you’re feeling sick for proper diagnosis ...

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If you’re someone who enjoys outdoor activities in the summertime, especially activities like hiking or spending time in grassy areas, it is important to be vigilant about ticks. Ticks are small insects that can bite humans and transmit diseases through their bite. The most commonly discussed tick-borne illness is Lyme disease. However, there are many other infections that ticks can spread to humans, including Rocky Mountain fever and anaplasmosis. Tick bites require immediate care ...

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Experiencing pain or pressure inside your ear? You could be getting an ear infection. Ear infections happen when moisture gets trapped inside of the ear canal, which leads to bacterial growth. In some cases, ear infections can heal on their own. However, ear infections sometimes require prescription antibiotics to clear up the infection. This article will review at-home tips and tricks for preventing and healing ear infections. If you think you have an ear infection ...

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During the warmer months of the year, the sun tends to be much hotter and out for much longer each day. Sun exposure is great, because it brings warmer temperatures and longer days with more hours of sunlight. However, too much sun exposure can have negative health effects like dehydration and heat exhaustion. Dehydration can lead to many different symptoms, including fatigue and feeling lightheaded or dizzy, so it is important to watch out for ...

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When temperatures rise, the risk of becoming dehydrated increases. Our bodies are over 50% water, and we constantly utilize our water storage for bodily functions and organ health. When it’s hot, these water levels can deplete rapidly, and without proper hydration, can lead to unpleasant symptoms like headaches, nausea, and feeling lightheaded. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration, it’s important to know how to treat them and when to seek medical care ...

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During the warmer spring and summer months, bug bites are just a small price to pay to enjoy the weather. Ticks in particular, however, can cause serious illness, and it is important to take steps to prevent contact and especially bites caused by ticks. The most commonly known tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, although ticks can carry a plethora of additional illnesses that pose similar health risks. If you’re bitten by a tick, it ...

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Spring allergy season can last for months, depending on what you’re allergic to. In most cases, spring allergies will begin in early spring, but they can last through the summer and fall. One of the most common symptoms of springtime allergies is head and nasal congestion. If you’re experiencing congestion caused by spring allergies and are looking for relief, keep reading. If you’re struggling to manage your allergy symptoms, AFC Urgent Care ...

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Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium "Borrelia burgdorferi," presents a wide range of symptoms that can vary significantly from person to person. In its early stages, the disease often begins with a distinctive bull's-eye pattern around the tick bite site. Other common early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint aches. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more severe issues, such as neurological problems, joint inflammation, and ...

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If you've been sneezing, sniffling, and battling watery eyes for what feels like forever, you might wonder: can seasonal allergies cause symptoms for weeks? The short answer is yes. Seasonal allergies, triggered by airborne allergens like pollen, mold spores, or grass, can persist for weeks or months and often will flare up with exposure. Keep reading to learn more about common spring allergy symptoms and tips for managing spring allergies. If you’re experiencing ...

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Are you suffering from congestion, but not sure how to effectively treat your symptoms? Congestion can be caused by many different illnesses and environmental factors which can make it difficult to treat. During the springtime, flu season and seasonal allergies overlap. Viral infections like colds and the flu as well as seasonal allergies can lead to similar symptoms including congestion. However, allergies and illnesses require different courses of treatment. Keep reading to learn how to ...

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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 ...

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During the winter season, there are many different illnesses that circulate. This can make it difficult to identify the cause of your symptoms and know when to seek medical care. Many confuse the flu and the stomach flu, but these two illnesses are caused by different viruses and they both affect the body in distinct ways. The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, leading to symptoms like fever, cough, body ...

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