As the seasons change and the temperature drops, it's not uncommon to hear warnings about the arrival of cold and flu season. During this time, many people become more wary of their health and take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. However, amidst the heightened awareness, numerous myths and misconceptions about this season have been perpetuated over the years. American Family Care (AFC) debunks these myths and separates fact from fiction, enabling you to ...
Is an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic Like Going to the ER? If you find yourself with an emergency medical condition that needs to be dealt with, it can often become an overwhelming situation. Thoughts of long waits, expensive treatments, and procedures at a hospital emergency room (ER) may cross your mind. However, the ER isn't always your only option - have you ever considered visiting an urgent care walk-in clinic? Urgent care clinics like AFC ...
Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Centennial CO Has Answers for You Is getting strep without tonsils possible? The short answer is yes. Strep throat is caused by a particular strain of bacteria, group A Streptococcus. These bacteria can live in the nose and mouth. The bacteria are spread through an infected person's saliva or mucus and contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. A person without tonsils can contract the infection if ...
Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia? Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? In some cases, this happens when the inflammation of the bronchial tubes persists for some time and is not treated properly, leading to a bacterial or viral infection that can cause pneumonia. When bronchitis becomes severe, the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line the bronchi can become damaged, making it difficult for mucus to clear from the lungs. This trapped mucus creates a breeding ground ...
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 ...
Staying healthy during the early winter months can sometimes be a challenge. With more time spent indoors, illnesses tend to spread quickly. Learn about how to prevent getting sick this cold and flu season, even if someone in your household is sick. Common Fall Illnesses to Be Aware Of During the cooler fall months, illnesses tend to circulate far faster than in other months. There are a variety of reasons for this, such as the ...
The colder winter months bring a variety of different ailments due to the change in weather. A common symptom that may not indicate an illness is feeling a burning sensation in your lungs when you go outside in the cold. Learn when to be concerned about this symptom, and how to prevent it. Is Breathing Cold Air Bad for My Lungs? You may have noticed that the arrival of cold winter air causes symptoms such ...
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 ...
The common cold often seizes the opportunity to make its presence known during the fall. While a cold may not be a serious illness, its symptoms can make life uncomfortable. Find out how to manage your cold symptoms at home, and when to seek medical care at urgent care this fall. Common Cold Symptoms Although a cold can strike at any time, colds often become more prevalent as temperatures drop. During the colder months, viruses ...
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 ...
The brittle air, falling leaves, and cozy sweaters evoke comfort and nostalgia. However, for some, the onset of a fall can trigger shifts in mental health. As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, addressing the potential impact on mental health and implementing effective measures for seasonal well-being is essential. This blog post delves into the connection between colder weather and mental well-being, offering practical strategies for staying active and improving sleep during autumn ...
Both sprains and fractures can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility and should be checked out by a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, our medical staff can help get you on the road to recovery without a long and expensive ER visit. Visit the walk-in clinic seven days a week for same-day injury diagnosis and treatment. Sprains vs. Fractures: What’s The Difference? Although it is almost impossible ...
Nobody enjoys getting the flu. And if you’ve ever had it, you’ve likely experienced the unwelcome companionship of body aches. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes and symptoms of the flu, why it makes your body feel achy, and what you can do about it. Causes and Symptoms of the Flu First things first, what’s the flu all about? Well, it’s caused by a family of viruses called influenza ...
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. Save Your Spot The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...
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 ...
AFC Urgent Care Centennial is here to provide the best possible urgent care quality for patients this summer season. Whether it’s sudden injury care, symptom testing, or something else we are ready to help. One of these common needs for our nearby patients in Centennial, Lone Tree, Cherry Creek, and other neighborhoods includes altitude sickness treatment. Tourists, hikers, and anyone else enjoying recreational activities or an active lifestyle can be at risk for sudden ...
This summer, hikers and tourists are likely to explore all of the amazing trails and scenic spots around Centennial, CO and the greater Denver area. But many hikers, and especially out-of-state visitors, may experience some form of altitude sickness this summer. Altitude sickness happens when someone is overexerting and becoming dehydrated at a higher-than-normal altitude. For example, a visitor who normally lives at sea-level may become more exerted, and dehydrate faster, than a local Colorado ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
