So many illnesses are already making the rounds this season, so chances are that someone in your household has already gotten sick. While there are a wide variety of symptoms that come with being sick, one common symptom across many illnesses is a fever! In most cases, fevers are our body’s natural immune response when fighting off illness, which aids in helping you feel better. Our AFC Urgent Care NC team explains how fevers ...
If you suspect you have a bacterial infection, one of the most reliable ways to seek relief is through antibiotics. They are incredibly effective at ridding your body of the bacteria causing the infection and can make you feel better within a matter of a few days. You have to be careful, though, if you are on another medication! Some interactions between medications and certain antibiotics can produce unpleasant or dangerous side effects. That is ...
It’s rare, but it’s possible. Even though none of the reported cases of COVID-19 among animals have resulted in death, it’s still important to be careful around your fur-baby if you get sick with the coronavirus. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care NC provides some helpful information on the pandemic and pets. How Common Is COVID-19 Among Animals? Not very common. There were reported instances at the beginning of ...
Studies show that getting outdoors can actually help you feel healthier! Vitamin D is readily available while hiking and it is necessary for building and maintaining healthy bones. Hiking is an activity that is possible while maintaining social distancing and is a great way to get some exercise without going to the gym! (And honestly, there’s really nothing more beautiful than a hike through our mountains as the leaves change.) Read on as our ...
We’re already somewhere between “worried about” and “fed up with” COVID-19. Yet here’s flu season, just around the corner. Is anyone actually worrying about the flu in 2020? The answer is yes. COVID-19 is still raging, and the flu also has the potential to cause overcrowding in emergency departments as people try to sort out flu symptoms from COVID symptoms. So, we’ve established that we’ll soon be looking not one but ...
Drinking ample amounts of water is one of the best things you can do for your health in every regard. Being hydrated helps your heart pump blood, helps your joints move well, allows your organs to do their job and assists your muscles as they work. Not only does drinking water have all these benefits, but it will also help you think more clearly, avoid unnecessary snacking and prevent dehydration—all great things! But how ...
If you will be spending time outdoors this summer, it is important that you practice good sun safety habits in order to protect your skin from harm. Regular sun exposure, even without getting a sunburn, can increase your risk of developing skin cancer later on in life—but fortunately, you can prevent this by avoiding direct sunlight and wearing sunscreen when you go outdoors. To help you determine how to be as sun-safe as possible ...
At best, getting a rash due to exposure to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac is a nuisance, and at worse, it can be a serious condition that requires medical treatment. When you come into contact with one of these plants, the oils from their leaves can penetrate the skin, and if you are in the 85% of the population that is allergic, you will generally develop an itchy, irritating rash. While you can ...
We’ve been hearing about COVID-19 for months now, seemingly everywhere we turn. But many of us still don’t have a good understanding of what the condition actually is and if we’re at risk. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina is dedicating this blog to answering a few common questions about the virus. Read on as we offer some insight. What’s My Risk of Getting COVID-19 We ...
The word cholesterol is used often enough that it can sometimes be confusing. You may see it on food labels, but you also hear it at the doctor’s office. Not sure how to make heads or tails of it? Our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to shed some light on what cholesterol is and how you can maintain a normal cholesterol. Why Is High Cholesterol Dangerous? To really understand what high ...
More than 100 million Americans are living with high blood pressure, which is why it is so important that we tackle the risk factors that can increase our chances of high blood pressure, including stress. During National High Blood Pressure Education Month this May, our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to share how stress can affect your blood pressure and what you can do to better manage your stress. How Does Stress ...
Did you know? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. During Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants you to know how you can best protect your skin, especially when it comes to skin cancer. Is Skin Cancer Common? Yes, skin cancer is incredibly common. In fact, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with some type of skin cancer by age ...
We are all working to transition our lives into a new normal, which for most of us means staying home all the time. However, when it comes to social distancing, what do we do if we feel under the weather? Even while we try to flatten the curve, everyday illnesses such as sore throat, seasonal allergies and pinkeye still crop up. What do we do then? For those types of everyday health issues, our AFC ...
We are entering that time of year again! The flowers and trees are blooming, and the pollen count is rising. Before you know it, you are going to be starting to experience the lovely symptoms of spring allergies. Our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants you to know how to recognize the signs of seasonal allergies this spring so that you can do all you can to prevent and treat them. When Is ...
Stress is something we all face at one point or another in life. A small amount of stress is normal and can be a positive thing, but too much stress can have serious effects on our health and wellness. In part, that’s because when we’re stressed, we’re more likely to practice unhealthy habits, including eating junk and processed foods. During National Nutrition Month this March, our team at AFC Urgent Care North ...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that around 647,000 people living in the United States die from heart disease each year, making it the leading cause of death among Americans. Stress is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is why our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to share some insight into what stress does to your heart and how you can manage it effectively. How Can Stress ...
Vitamin D gets a lot of attention. You probably know that it’s important to your health, but do you know why and how much of it you need? Our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to shed some light on the topic—read on as we take a look! Why Is Vitamin D Important? Vitamin D is an essential nutrient needed to help your body properly absorb calcium, which helps keep bones ...
Are you tired of living with nasal congestion? It might seem like an unavoidable part of the colder season, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants you to know how to treat your nasal congestion, as well as steps you can take to avoid nasal congestion in the first place. What Causes Nasal Congestion at Night? If you feel as though your nasal congestion is worse ...
When a sore throat occurs, it can be for a number of reasons—the flu, a common cold and, yes, strep throat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 11,000 to 13,000 cases of strep throat in the United States each year. Our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina want you to learn more about strep throat and the symptoms associated with the condition. Is Strep Throat ...
We rarely think about our bladder until it isn’t working properly. But when a UTI strikes, your bladder will be at the top of your mind! As part of Bladder Health Month, our team at AFC Urgent Care North Carolina wants to offer some insight into the bladder itself and to UTIs specifically. What Is the Purpose of Your Bladder? Your bladder might be small, but it is fierce! It plays a key role ...
