Summer in East Tennessee means longer evenings, backyard cookouts, lake days, and plenty of time outdoors; but it also means mosquito season has arrived. Around Knoxville, warm temperatures and humidity create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to thrive from late spring through early fall. Most mosquito bites are nothing more than an itchy annoyance. But occasionally, a bite seems unusually swollen, hot, or painful and leaves people wondering: Is this normal? In some cases, a bigger ...
Summer in East Tennessee is made for getting outdoors. Whether you’re spending the day hiking on trails near Knoxville, cheering on the Tennessee Smokies, exploring the trails at Urban Wilderness, or enjoying an afternoon on the Tennessee River, Knoxville offers plenty of opportunities to stay active during the warmer months. However, Tennessee summers also bring intense heat and humidity that can put your health at risk. Every year, emergency rooms and urgent care clinics ...
There’s nothing quite like the Fourth of July in East Tennessee. By the time July rolls around, Knoxville is buzzing with backyard cookouts, lake weekends, neighborhood block parties, and patriotic celebrations that seem to stretch from downtown all the way to the foothills of the Smokies. This year’s festivities feel even more meaningful as communities across the country prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, making this one of the biggest Independence Day ...
Spring in Knoxville means more sunshine, more time outdoors, and more opportunities to enjoy local favorites like Ijams Nature Center, The Urban Wilderness, and hiking trails near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But as East Tennesseans spend more time outside, tick season also ramps up across the region. Ticks are especially active during late spring and summer in Tennessee, and experts are already warning that 2026 could be one of the busiest tick seasons in ...
Accidents happen when you least expect them. Whether it’s a cut in the kitchen, a fall during outdoor activities around Ijams Nature Center, or a sudden choking incident, knowing basic first aid supported by guidance from trusted organizations like the American Red Cross can make all the difference in those critical moments before professional care is available. At AFC Urgent Care, we’re here to treat non-life-threatening injuries quickly and efficiently, but what you ...
As the weather warms up and everything starts to bloom, it’s the perfect time to get outside and dig into your garden. Whether you’re planting flowers from Stanley’s Greenhouse, pulling weeds, or tackling a long list of yard projects, spending time outdoors can be incredibly rewarding. But as relaxing as gardening can be, it’s also more physically demanding than many people expect. Repetitive motions, heavy lifting, sun exposure, and contact with ...
Spending a warm spring day at the Regal Soccer Stadium, a neighborhood playground, or a ballpark like TriStar Park – Badgett Field is a great way to enjoy the season and soak up some much-needed sunshine. But with all that activity, accidental falls and head bumps can happen. When they do, it’s not always easy to tell if it’s just a minor bump or something more serious like a concussion. Here’s how to ...
Spring brings warmer temperatures and better weather for outdoor activities. Shopping at your local plant nursery like Stanley’s Greenhouse to update your flowers beds or visiting the Knoxville Botanical Garden for inspiration is one enjoyable way to spend a warm spring afternoon. Unfortunately for those living in the South, we know all too well about spring pollen season as the trees and flowers begin to bloom out. Congestion, sinus pressure, and a runny nose ...
Whether you’re trying to enjoy a rare warm winter’s day with your kids on a neighborhood playground like Lakeshore Park or visiting a local jump park such as Sky Zone Trampoline Park to get rid of cabin fever, being aware of germs and illnesses may not be your primary concern. However, with the latest uptick of measles cases across the country, it may be a good idea to refresh your understanding of the ...
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, meeting up with friends, visiting with relatives, gift exchanges, and lots of great food; winter can seem never ending. The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and even though you may be embracing that New Years resolution to visit the local gym or get more steps in at a local Knoxville park; your mood may be low. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression ...
During the winter months, many people try to find ways to stay entertained but out of the elements. One activity many turn to is going to see a movie. There are many movie theaters such as Regal Cinebarre West Town Mall or Regal Riviera in Knoxville advertising new films for us to enjoy while eating popcorn in the comfortable, warm seats of the theater. However, public spaces, including movies, can also increase your risk of ...
Whether you’re grabbing groceries at Food City, attending a local school event, working out at Planet Fitness, or enjoying a community gathering, everyday activities can increase your exposure to viruses like COVID-19. While many people think of COVID as only a respiratory illness, some infections begin differently; sometimes the symptoms include stomach issues. Understanding how COVID can affect your digestive system can help you recognize symptoms early and get the right care. If you ...
We’ve all felt it coming on, the scratchy throat, stuffy nose, congestion, and fatigue associated with a respiratory infection. You could be out enjoying a beautiful winter’s snowy day sledding around UT’s campus at Reese Hall or walking around the Fort Sanders area but later feel more exhausted and run down than normal. Often, these are the first symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, also known as a URI. Respiratory infections are ...
Winter in Knoxville is the season of sniffles, sore throats, and lingering coughs, whether you’re catching up with friends at the Peter Kern Library or competing in a lively game of bowling at Maple Hall with family, no one has time for a cold that just won’t go away. While most colds clear up within a week or two, symptoms that just won’t resolve can be frustrating and concerning. Is it simply ...
Overeating during the holidays, especially if you are indulging in a great meal at Brazeiros Brazilian Steakhouse, is common, but having nagging digestive upset and pain afterwards is not. How do you know if your symptoms are normal or if you need to seek medical care and treatment? This blog will help you understand the differences between indigestion and pancreatitis, what the symptoms for each are, and when to seek an AFC urgent care center ...
Every flu season is different, and this year’s is already shaping up to be an active one. Whether out shopping at West Town Mall or going to eat with family and friends at one of the area’s best restaurants, catching the flu is an unfortunate possibility. If you’ve started feeling run-down or you’re trying to stay ahead of the virus, AFC Urgent Care is here to help you recognize symptoms early ...
Primary Care Vs. Urgent Care: What’s the Difference? Determining where to go to seek medical treatment can be confusing. Have you ever needed immediate medical care for something but weren’t sure where to go? Should you go to your primary care doctor? Would urgent care be the better option? Is it serious enough for the emergency room? Deciding whether or not to go to the Emergency Room is straightforward. ER care is needed ...
Going out to eat with friends or family during the holidays can be an enjoyable way to spend time together. Spending time shopping, ice skating, or looking at the lights at Downtown Knoxville can also be a great way to make memories with family and friends. However, feeling sick afterwards can be unsettling and something you shouldn’t ignore. Understanding if your digestive upset is from contaminated food or a stomach virus can be confusing ...
Stuffy nose, facial pressure, and a relentless headache; sound familiar? If you’re battling these symptoms, you might be asking yourself: is this a sinus infection, or just seasonal allergies acting up? The overlap of symptoms can be confusing, especially in the transitional seasons of spring and fall when pollen counts soar and respiratory issues spike. But knowing the difference between the two isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for choosing the right treatment ...
Wondering if you have athlete’s foot or something else? Learn about the symptoms, treatment options, and prevention tips to keep your feet healthy and fungus free; as well as learning about some other common issues that could be causing your foot issues. Being active by hiking, running, or walking at the Ijams Nature Center or Fort Dickerson Park are great things you can do for your health. However, you could find yourself suffering from ...