With proper treatment, swimmer's ear typically clears up within about a week. Most people notice meaningful relief within the first few days of starting prescription ear drops. Left untreated, the infection will not resolve on its own and can lead to serious complications. This guide covers what swimmer's ear is, how long recovery takes with treatment, what happens without it, and how to keep it from coming back. At AFC Urgent Care Denver ...
Tick bites are more common than many people realize, particularly for those who spend time outdoors. In Colorado and across the Rocky Mountain region, hikers, trail runners, and outdoor enthusiasts face regular tick exposure along trails and in high grass. When ticks transmit bacteria or viruses through their bite, the resulting illness can trigger muscle aches, fever, fatigue, and headaches. Symptoms may develop within days to a few weeks after the bite and should not ...
If you’ve suddenly started sneezing nonstop or dealing with a stuffy nose seemingly out of nowhere, seasonal allergies may be the reason. Allergy symptoms can appear quickly, especially during times of the year when pollen, grass, or mold levels are high. Because allergies often mimic symptoms of a cold or sinus infection, many people aren’t sure what’s actually causing their congestion. Understanding the signs of seasonal allergies can help you identify triggers ...
Hot weather, outdoor activities, sports, and physical labor can all put extra stress on the body, especially during peak summer months. While many people experience mild dehydration or fatigue in the heat, heat exhaustion is more serious and should not be ignored. Recognizing the signs early is important because heat exhaustion can quickly progress into heat stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency. Knowing when symptoms can be managed at home and when urgent care is the ...
When you start feeling achy, fatigued, and generally “off,” it’s easy to assume you’re coming down with the flu or another viral illness. But sometimes, these symptoms can have a surprisingly simple cause: dehydration. Dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty, it can affect nearly every system in your body. In some cases, it can even mimic flu-like symptoms, making it difficult to tell what’s really going on. Understanding how dehydration impacts ...
A sore throat is one of those symptoms that can feel surprisingly disruptive, especially when it shows up during allergy season. If you’re dealing with pollen, dust, or other environmental triggers, your sore throat may not be from a cold or infection at all. Instead, seasonal allergies could be the culprit. The good news is that allergy-related sore throats are usually manageable and often improve quickly with the right approach. Understanding why it happens ...
When you think of seasonal allergies, symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes probably come to mind. But for many people, allergies can also cause a persistent, annoying cough, especially during the spring and fall months. If you’ve been dealing with a cough that won’t go away but don’t feel “sick,” allergies could be the reason. Understanding how allergies trigger coughing, and how to treat it, can help you get relief faster ...
Sinus pressure can be uncomfortable on its own. The facial pain, congestion, and headaches are enough to slow you down. But when dizziness joins the mix, it can feel alarming. If you’ve ever wondered why sinus pressure makes you feel lightheaded, off-balance, or even slightly nauseated, you’re not alone. The connection between your sinuses and your sense of balance is closer than you might think. Understanding how they interact can help you determine ...
Bronchitis is commonly associated with persistent coughing, chest discomfort, and fatigue. But if you’re also experiencing back pain, especially in your upper or mid-back, you may be wondering whether the two are connected. The short answer is yes, bronchitis can cause back pain. In many cases, the discomfort is related to inflammation in the airways and the physical strain of constant coughing. Understanding why this happens can help you manage your symptoms and know ...
The flu can absolutely cause a sinus infection to develop, either during the illness itself or shortly after flu symptoms begin to improve. While influenza is a viral infection, it can create the ideal condition for sinus infections by inflaming the nasal passages, blocking sinus drainage, and weakening the body’s natural defenses. Understanding how the flu affects your sinuses can help you recognize the warning signs of a sinus infection and seek timely treatment ...
Experiencing a fever and body aches without other noticeable symptoms can be confusing and concerning. Many people associate fever and muscle pain with obvious signs like cough, congestion, or a sore throat, but sometimes these classic symptoms don’t appear right away. In many cases, fever and body aches are the body’s early response to an infection or inflammation, even before other symptoms develop. Understanding what may be causing these symptoms can help you ...
Influenza A is one of the most common and contagious types of flu viruses, responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks each year. Most people associate the flu with fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue, but many are surprised when gastrointestinal symptoms appear. This often leads to an important question: Does the flu cause vomiting? The answer is yes, influenza A can cause vomiting, though it is more common in certain age groups and circumstances. Understanding why ...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory illness that affects people of all ages but can be especially concerning for infants, young children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. One of the most noticeable symptoms of RSV is a persistent cough. Many parents and patients ask, what does an RSV-related cough sound like, and how can you tell it apart from other respiratory infections? While no cough sound alone can confirm RSV ...
Feeling dizzy on and off throughout the day can be frustrating, and even a little alarming when you’re not sure what’s causing it. One of the most common, yet often overlooked, triggers is dehydration. Even mild fluid loss can affect your circulation, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance, leading to waves of lightheadedness or dizziness that seem to appear and disappear without warning. In this blog, we’ll break down why dehydration can cause ...
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is becoming increasingly recognized in both children and adults. As awareness grows, many people are turning to their primary care provider as the first step in getting evaluated for symptoms like trouble focusing, forgetfulness, restlessness, or chronic disorganization. If you’re wondering whether a primary care provider can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication, the answer is yes: primary care is often one of the best places to start. In this blog ...
When the stomach flu hits, it can knock you off your feet. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea quickly lead to dehydration and fatigue, making it hard to keep fluids down or recover on your own. That’s where IV therapy can make a big difference. By delivering hydration, electrolytes, and vitamins directly into your bloodstream, IV therapy helps your body bounce back faster and restores the nutrients that the illness have depleted. In this blog, we ...
Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that causes sudden throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and often fever. But many people are surprised to notice ear pain along with their sore throat. This can lead to confusion… is it strep throat, an infection, or both? The truth is, strep throat can cause referred pain in the ears even when there is no actual ear infection. Understanding how this happens can help you know what to expect ...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory infection that tends to spread in the fall and winter months. While it often affects children, adults can get RSV too, and outbreaks are especially common in crowded places like schools, nursing homes, and daycares. If you’ve recently been around someone who has tested positive for RSV, you may be wondering: How soon will symptoms appear? Understanding the RSV incubation period can help you know what ...
When you come down with the flu, you may notice your symptoms changing from one day to the next. Many people wonder: Do flu symptoms get worse before they get better? The answer is often yes. Influenza is caused by a viral infection that impacts the entire respiratory system, and symptoms typically follow a pattern that includes a period of escalation before recovery begins. Understanding how the flu progresses can help you manage symptoms, set ...
When it comes to protecting your health, preventive screenings play a vital role. One of the most important screenings for women is the Pap smear, which checks for abnormal cervical cells that could indicate precancerous changes or cervical cancer. Many people assume this test can only be done by a gynecologist, but that’s not always the case. If you see a primary care doctor for routine health needs, you may be wondering: Can my ...
