Recent Blog Posts

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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...

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Healthcare is one of the most important needs that we have but unexpected costs, or a change in insurance enrollment, can sometimes make it hard. Luckily, patients can trust that an urgent care center and walk-in clinic offers affordable rates and covers most insurances. At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, we understand that it is not always easy to determine your costs or enrollment status. Some providers don’t fully cover services even with some insurance ...

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Do you experience sneezing, coughing, or itchiness, especially when you move outdoors? If you do, you are among the millions of Americans currently facing Spring allergies. As the temperature rises, plants are preparing to spread their seeds into the environment. Since they do not possess feet to move around, they ensure their seeds get to other plants via pollen grains. However, a lot of people react to these pollen grains, prompting unfavorable symptoms. Here's ...

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Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...

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While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Centennial indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.    Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...

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Cough is one of the most common symptoms during the winter season as many illnesses become more common in local communities. As cough continues to get more and more common it helps to find a local healthcare provider for sudden cough symptoms: the good news for patients is that local urgent care centers help treat coughs on the same day as their visit. Sore throat is painful, irritating, and long-lasting without the correct treatment. Acting ...

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Every winter, the risk of viruses and diseases can spread rapidly as more and more people stay indoors and increase potential spread. Cold winter months lead to indoor gatherings that can cause illnesses to spread from host-to-host at an alarming rate. Additionally, more and more people are likely to be exposed to common colds, influenza, and COVID-19. RSV has also made recent headlines as an emergent disease. Viruses and diseases are extremely contagious but are ...

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It's natural for a parent to have concerns about their child contracting an illness. Seasonal ailments such as the common cold, influenza, and ear infections affect the health of millions of children every year. When your kid gets ill with a common childhood ailment, you may experience anxiety; nevertheless, various treatments can help your kid feel better. In this blog, we'll go over some of the more prevalent ailments that affect children and ...

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

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It has been almost three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus is still impacting local communities. While the COVID-19 virus’s lethal outcomes have been quelled by vaccines and community prevention, the virus is still expecting to spread at the start of 2023 The causes of COVID-19 are still the same as they were back in 2020 but new variants, lax prevention, and other factors are likely to spread the ...

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STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are very common.   This disease can cause symptoms like pain and discomfort, rashes, sores, or bumps in the penis, vagina, and testicles, swollen testicles, itchiness in the vagina, and unexpected bleeding after sex. STDs can be treated if they get diagnosed at the right time. Some STDs also go away on their own. For diagnosis, the health provider suggests STD testing that can vary based on your symptoms. STD testing ...

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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 ...

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