Recent Blog Posts

The flu can be a challenging illness for people of all ages, but the virus can particularly affect young children due to their developing immune systems. Identifying its symptoms early is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing the signs of the flu in young children can make a significant difference in managing the illness effectively. For same-day flu shots and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Denver Highlands. Our medical team ...

Read more..

As Halloween night rapidly approaches, many families are gearing up for a night of costume wearing and trick-or-treating. While the spirit of Halloween is all about fun and thrills, it’s crucial to prioritize safety to ensure that the night is memorable for the right reasons. At AFC Urgent Care Denver Highlands, we care about your family’s well-being. Here’s some essential tips to help you and your family stay safe this Halloween! For ...

Read more..

During cold and flu season, the onset of sniffles or a cough can affect anyone. While the fall and winter months can bring about a range of different illnesses, it’s important to be able to differentiate between symptoms so you can get the right treatment. While navigating through the various symptoms can be difficult, understanding the key differences is important to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses. In this blog, we’ll look at ...

Read more..

As a prominent care provider of accessible primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine services nationwide, American Family Care (AFC) is uniquely positioned to guide and educate the public on pertinent health issues, such as the FDA’s recent decisions on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine.  The FDA held a Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee meeting on September 11-12, 2023, to deliberate on the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough ...

Read more..

Why You Should See an Urgent Care Doctor for Wart Removal Home remedies for warts might not be as effective as you hope, so we recommend seeing an urgent care doctor for wart removal to treat these pesky growths at their source. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear almost anywhere on the body, causing both physical discomfort and self-consciousness. This article takes you through everything you need to know about ...

Read more..

RSV and the common cold are prevalent illnesses that are often confused with one another. They both exhibit similar symptoms and affect the respiratory tract, however, these illnesses are different in varying ways. If you suffer from similar symptoms relating to the common cold, yet you are uncertain what it is, this article highlights the differences between both illnesses. For same-day general illness diagnosis and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Denver ...

Read more..

Medical professionals all around the world advise that the average person should visit the doctor at least twice a year for preventive checkups. However, millions of people admit to visiting the hospital twice in three to five years. The main reason points towards the fees of visiting and their perfect health condition. This article highlights the importance of preventive screening and why you should do it. What is Preventive Care? The word "preventive care" refers ...

Read more..

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. Book Now The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

Read more..

Many parents aim to tick off all the items on their kid's back-to-school list. Wherein only a few people bear in mind physicals, which is an integral requirement for back-to-school. The Chicago Public Schools mandates physicals for every one of its students. During the physicals, a medical examination will identify any hearing, sight, or disabilities that may interfere with the student's learning process. Why is a School Physical Required? A school physical is ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

While we acknowledge how stressful getting a DOT physical can be, it is still a necessity if you are willing to be behind the wheel. The Department of Transportation (DOT) states that to keep their commercial driver's license (CDL) current, truck drivers must pass a physical examination every two years. The thorough examination covers the trucker's physical and mental well-being as well as their hearing and vision. You can pass the exam easily ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 Highlands 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 ...

Read more..

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

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...

Read more..