As the seasons change and the temperature drops, it's not uncommon to hear warnings about the arrival of cold and flu season. During this time, many people become more wary of their health and take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. However, amidst the heightened awareness, numerous myths and misconceptions about this season have been perpetuated over the years. American Family Care (AFC) debunks these myths and separates fact from fiction, enabling you to ...
Is an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic Like Going to the ER? If you find yourself with an emergency medical condition that needs to be dealt with, it can often become an overwhelming situation. Thoughts of long waits, expensive treatments, and procedures at a hospital emergency room (ER) may cross your mind. However, the ER isn't always your only option - have you ever considered visiting an urgent care walk-in clinic? Urgent care clinics like AFC ...
Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Denver CO Has Answers for You Is getting strep without tonsils possible? The short answer is yes. Strep throat is caused by a particular strain of bacteria, group A Streptococcus. These bacteria can live in the nose and mouth. The bacteria are spread through an infected person's saliva or mucus and contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. A person without tonsils can contract the infection if ...
Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia? Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? In some cases, this happens when the inflammation of the bronchial tubes persists for some time and is not treated properly, leading to a bacterial or viral infection that can cause pneumonia. When bronchitis becomes severe, the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line the bronchi can become damaged, making it difficult for mucus to clear from the lungs. This trapped mucus creates a breeding ground ...
What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns So, what are the degrees of burns? If you’ve been wondering how to identify burns, we’ve got the answers for you. Burns are a common injury that can occur from various sources, including hot liquids, fire, chemicals, and sun exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is crucial ...
Nasal congestion can be more than just a nuisance. It can interfere with breathing, disrupts sleep, and can cause headaches and discomfort. Whether your nasal congestion is from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection, finding relief is a top priority! In this blog, we’ll outline some effective strategies to alleviate nasal congestion and explore when it might be necessary to seek medical attention. For symptom relief, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent ...
When it comes to health conditions, symptoms can often overlap which can create confusion about the underlying cause. Ear infections cause a wide range of symptoms which can leave those affected with many questions. One common question that arises is whether an ear infection can lead to a sore throat. In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between ear infections and sore throats and outline when to seek medical attention. For same-day ear infection ...
When we think of the flu we often associate it with symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat. As we near the peak of cold and flu season, it’s important to be aware of all symptoms that the flu can cause, including the development of a rash. While rashes are not typically considered a common symptom, they can occur in some cases. In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between the flu ...
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, affecting millions of people each year. They can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but the symptoms are typically not severe. However, in some cases, a UTI can lead to a more intense illness, causing other symptoms like a fever to develop. It’s important to understand when this happens and when medical attention might be necessary. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of UTIs, and ...
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 ...
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 ...
Have you suddenly felt feverish or are you currently battling with a persistent headache? It might seem strange as you did not feel sick a few days ago. However, you have noticed that as the season changes, you suddenly get sick and come down with a cold. Well, you are not alone as billions of people experience the same thing. During seasonal changes, the atmosphere becomes packed with pollen and allergens that can get you ...
As the year races to its end, we are once again approaching the season of discomfort. In the United States, the flu season starts at the beginning of October, hence, preparations are in earnest to protect oneself against the influenza virus. The annual flu vaccination is a collective effort to prevent the spread of influenza virus. It is designed by the government for anyone older than 6 months. Although it plays a major role in ...
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 ...
The summer season brings with it a promise of sun-soaked adventures and endless outdoor fun. Ensuring your child's safety and well-being during these exciting times is paramount as a parent. While the allure of outdoor activities is irresistible, choosing options to keep them safe is essential. There should be a balance in entertainment but also safeguard their health. From preventing injuries to minimizing risks of illnesses and sunburns, here's a comprehensive guide to ...
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 ...
Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are a widespread health issue that, if neglected, can have catastrophic repercussions. It causes mild to severe symptoms which range from a little discomfort to severe pain, and infertility. Fortunately, STD testing is widely accessible and can assist patients in recognizing and treating these diseases at an early stage. This article explains STD testing for patients, along with its effect on general health, and the benefits of testing in reducing the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
