Recent Blog Posts

In the ongoing battle against a highly mutated version of the COVID-19 virus (BA. 2.86), understanding the early symptoms of the virus is crucial for timely detection and effective treatment. While fever, cough, and a loss of taste or smell have been widely recognized as primary signs, there’s questions about another initial symptom– a sore throat. In this blog, we’ll explore how a sore throat could be an indication of a COVID-19 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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Sinusitis is the inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining your sinuses. The sinuses are structures inside your face called sinuses that are usually air-filled and sometimes allergies, viral infections, and bacterial infections can aggravate them to the point where they become clogged, and fluid filled. In addition to other symptoms including a stuffy nose and facial pain and pressure, sinusitis can also induce nasal congestion. This article explains why your sinus symptoms may be ...

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One of the common signs of influenza (flu) is body aches. Flu results in inflammation, which damages the nerves and muscle tissue, resulting in widespread aches and pains. This article outlines why the flu can cause body aches and who may be more at risk. It also outlines how to relieve these aches and when visiting a healthcare provider is necessary. For same-day flu diagnosis and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care ...

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

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Pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by a virus or bacterial infection. However, infected individuals can recover between 3-6 months with the proper treatment. Also, certain factors cause the duration to vary with affected persons. These factors include age, overall health condition, type of pneumonia, and the care given during the sickness period. Causes and Symptoms of Pneumonia Pneumonia is usually caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections affecting the lungs. Some common infectious bacteria ...

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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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Sports can provide many benefits for children, such as improving physical fitness, building teamwork and leadership skills, and boosting self-confidence. However, getting your kid a sports health check before encouraging their passion is important. This should be done prior to the sports season. As you read on, you’ll find what a sport's physical is all about and the benefits of letting your kid get it done. About Sports Physicals A sports physical exam ...

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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 Denver Park Hill 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 Denver Park Hill 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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Each year, millions of children experience at least one seasonal illness. Just because an illness is common, doesn’t mean it won’t feel like a big deal when it’s your child suffering though. Knowing how to treat these common illnesses will help you stay calm and feel prepared if your child does get sick.  Sore Throat A sore throat can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s a side effect of ...

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