Recent Blog Posts

The flu shot is quite an effective vaccination that is recommended by the CDC to the public. The flu effectiveness depends on your age and the time of year. Despite the benefits, millions of people dread the flu shot. From the long-wait times at your primary physician to the annoying arm ache comes along. If you've wondered why the flu shot is a general pain, this article explains why the flu shot causes various ...

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Fall is officially here! Many of us are looking forward to the changing leaves and holidays on the horizon. However, fall also signals the arrival of weather that can bring about challenging health conditions. Thankfully, there may only be a few weeks remaining in some regions before people who experience seasonal allergies before allergens go into overdrive. This article highlights common fall allergy triggers. For same-day allergy relief, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent ...

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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. Pre-Register The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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Beyond social bonds, sports promote coordination, self-discipline, and heightened physical fitness among student-athletes. However, it’s unfortunate that these promising athletes are more at risk of sustaining injuries than older adults. This is because the young athletes' bones, muscles, and ligaments are still growing. As a result, this informative piece provides the necessary tips to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in student-athletes. Common Sport Injuries It's expedient to highlight the common sports injuries the student-athletes are ...

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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 ...

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When it comes to immigrating to the United States, there are many important decisions to consider. One of the most vital steps in the immigration process is undergoing a medical examination, also known as an immigration physical. In this regard, there are certain things to expect whenever you decide to go for your immigration medical exam. An analysis of your vaccine records and medical history. Alcohol and drug screening. Mental and physical assessment. An x-ray ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 Leetsdale 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 ...

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

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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 ...

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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 ...

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A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery.  If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...

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Coughs and sore throats often go hand in hand, but not always. Identifying what symptom you’re experiencing will make it much easier to diagnose the cause. If you feel throat pain and discomfort when swallowing or talking, that’s a sore throat. If you have a persistent urge to cough, you have a cough. Now, let’s consider what could be causing your sore throat or cough! Causes of a Sore Throat A sore ...

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A cough is an inconvenience no matter what the cause. From the common cold and flu to bacterial infections, no cough is a good cough! Knowing how to best treat your cough will help you get over your symptoms quicker and return to normal activities cough-free. Can I Treat a Cough Without Medication? You can use non-medication methods to manage the symptoms of your cough. Unfortunately, this type of treatment can’t always cure your ...

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Local urgent care centers in Leetsdale, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room.  Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...

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What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers.    What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...

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