The CDC has stated that “breakthrough” omicron cases are likely, but why? According to experts, vaccine efficacy is lower against omicron, due to the fact that omicron’s mutations make it more transmissible than other variants and more able to evade the passive immunity that is acquired from being vaccinated. Aren’t vaccines supposed to help, though? Yes, and they are. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains why below. What Are Breakthrough Cases? According ...
It’s no secret that the flu has always gotten worse during this time of year, but why does that happen? And why are other viruses more common, too? Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides some helpful answers below, so keep reading! What Causes an Uptick in Virus Cases? While it’s true that viruses cause more damage during the winter months, this doesn’t mean that they go away when it gets warmer ...
Croup is a scary-sounding respiratory infection. If you are a parent, it’s likely that your child has dealt with it before. While the cough that comes along with croup is not for the faint of heart, it’s typically easy to treat and isn’t usually a huge cause for concern. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides further info about croup below, so read on! What Is Croup? Croup is a respiratory infection ...
Strep throat is a common infection, as between 11,000 and 13,000 Americans will get it each year. It’s also more common during the winter seasons, but it remains highly treatable. Below, our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides further info on strep throat and the importance of treating it quickly, so keep reading! What Is Strep Throat? According to the CDC, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused ...
Even during the age of COVID-19, yes, it’s possible to get the flu this year. In fact, it’s even more possible to get the flu this year compared to last year, due to reduced social distancing and fewer mask mandates. There are some additional risk factors that can increase your chances of getting the flu as well, and our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team elaborates on them below. What Is the Flu? Before ...
Falls happen too often. According to the CDC, one in four people age 65 and older experience a fall, and only half of those who fall tell anyone. If the unfortunate happens and you do fall, it’s important to know what to do next. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides some helpful tips and info below, so keep reading! Here’s what to do: Check for injuries. This should be the first thing ...
Many of us have had a sinus infection before. While these types of infections aren’t pleasant, they’re highly treatable and don’t usually last very long. Sinus infections are typically accompanied by thick mucus in the nose, but they can often be accompanied by painful headaches, too. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team further elaborates on what to expect with sinus infections below, so keep reading! What Is a Sinus Infection? According to ...
Unfortunately, yes, it is possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Getting both respiratory illnesses at the same time wasn’t as huge of a concern last year as it is this year, due to no more required social distancing and less mask wearing. To learn more about what getting both of these illnesses at the same time could look like, check out the information our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team ...
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects a huge number of people across the globe. Nearly 10% of people worldwide deal with eczema, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying for those who do struggle with it. While eczema is typically a chronic condition for many, there are ways to limit the amount of flare-ups experienced. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides further helpful information below. What Is Eczema? Eczema is ...
Experiencing nausea is no fun, and it’s hard to know what causes it at times. Even though nausea makes you feel pretty awful sometimes, there are many ways you can effectively treat it at home! Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team highlights some effective ways you can treat your nausea below, so read on. Here’s what to do: Sit up and avoid crunching the stomach. If your mom ever told you not to ...
When people experience pain and discomfort in the genital area, it’s common to think that those symptoms are signs of a UTI. While this is often the case, many will be diagnosed with a yeast infection. But aren’t a yeast infection and a UTI actually the same thing? Actually, no, they’re not, and our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains why below. What Is a UTI? UTIs occur when bacteria, such as ...
Bronchitis is a very common respiratory illness. In fact, around 3 million cases of bronchitis occur in the U.S. ever year! Even though it’s common, that doesn’t make it any less of a concern if you do happen to get it. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explores the severity and other important facts about bronchitis below, so read on! What Is Bronchitis? Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the ...
STDs are certainly uncomfortable to talk about, but the fact of the matter is that more people suffer from these diseases than you might realize. In fact, the CDC estimates that one in five people have an STD. Because STDs are seldom talked about, many are left uninformed about how these diseases work, what complications they can cause and if those who deal with them will deal with them for life. Our AFC Urgent Care ...
Boils are extremely uncomfortable to experience, but they’re actually more common than you might think. They may occur in hair follicles anywhere on the body but typically pop up in areas where hair and sweat coexist, such as the armpits. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga provides further info on boils and what you can do about them below. What boils are: A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump that ...
If you’ve stood up too quickly or bent the wrong way and you’ve felt a sharp pain go up your back or down your leg, you’ve likely pulled a muscle before. We’ve probably all heard the term “pull a muscle” before, but do you actually know what it means? Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains the term and provides some further information on it below, so keep reading! What Is ...
Even if your dog is friendly and you’re both playing nicely together, bites can happen. Sometimes, they’re nothing to worry about, and sometimes they are. So, is there a certain protocol you’re supposed to follow if you get bitten by your dog or somebody else’s dog? Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team provides some answers below. What Should I Do First After a Dog Bite? In general, it’s best to ...
They are! If you believe you may have the COVID-19 virus or another type of contagious illness, our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team offers rapid flu, strep and COVID-19 tests that provide accurate results within minutes! We provide some further helpful information below, so keep reading. Am I at an Increased Risk of Getting a Contagious Illness Right Now? According to the CDC, they are seeing “increased Interseasonal Respiratory Syncytial Virus [RSV] activity in parts ...
Red, bumpy, itchy skin can be irritating, painful and, at times, embarrassing. Rashes can be caused by many things, including an allergy to a plant or medication, a food allergy or an illness. If you aren’t sure what the red, bumpy spots on your skin mean, our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team is here to help you feel more informed about the state of your skin! What Causes an Allergic Rash? An allergic reaction ...
Having some first-aid skills is an invaluable tool, especially for parents! Kids get cuts and scrapes all the time. And in some cases, they also get deep cuts that will require stitches. Whatever the case may be, having some working knowledge on how to dress wounds is important, and our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team is here to help you feel informed and prepared! Here’s what to do: First, before tending to the wound ...
It’s safe to say that no one actively wants an X-ray, but when you’re experiencing worrisome pain, they are extremely helpful tools. Although things like bone X-rays are so common, what actually happens when you get an X-ray? Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains the purpose and other facts you need to know about X-rays below. What Does an X-ray Do? X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal ...
