Recent Blog Posts

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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In most cases, the flu is caused by an influenza virus. This virus spreads by breathing in tiny airborne droplets from someone else’s coughs or sneezes. You can also get the flu if you encounter something contaminated with the virus and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. Flu symptoms can appear fast, and you may begin to see symptoms within 1 to 7 days after coming into touch with the virus. Flu is ...

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With the fall sports season in full swing, it’s important to be aware of the various injuries athletes may be at risk of experiencing. Sports injuries occur due to the overuse of the muscles or the impact of a traumatic force on the joints. Millions of athletes have one or more injuries throughout their lifetime and in most cases, these injuries signal the end of their career. In this article, we highlight several ways ...

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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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Since the Covid-19 era is over, only some athletes can return to their sports routines. Meanwhile, being active plays a positive impact on sports performance. It ensures balance and coordination, preventing the athlete from sustaining sports injuries. In this article, you shall learn how to stay safe, including the essential preventive measures. Common Sports Injuries During the Fall Sports Season During the fall sports season, several common injuries tend to occur due to the nature ...

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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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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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The experience of getting tested for an STD can be nerve-wracking for first-time patients. There is a possibility that they will have worries as well as inquiries regarding the exam and procedure. Yet, it is crucial to remember getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is necessary for sexual health maintenance. Therefore, this blog will cover some frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning STD testing to assist new patients in feeling more at ease and educated ...

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Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from seasonal allergies; they experience sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Hence, there is frequent uncertainty and worry about whether these symptoms are an indication of a more serious underlying medical condition. This article contains detailed information on whether these symptoms are signs of a serious medical condition or merely seasonal allergy symptoms. Seasonal allergies and the human body Seasonal allergies tend to be mild to moderate ...

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Most people neglect their health which causes severe consequences for their well-being. Similar when getting tested for infections and diseases such as STD. STDs or sexually transmitted diseases have severe consequences on a person's body and overall health that few people know. The reason STD infection is most prevalent in youngsters, men and women alike, makes it all the more important to get tested and treated timely. According to a study by the National ...

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It is possible to experience seasonal allergies at different times of the year depending on the kind that ails you. Usually, a seasonal allergy is experienced when particular outdoor allergens (tree, weed, grass, ragweed pollen) become airborne in great quantities. These seasons often fall between Spring, Summer, and Fall. Of the four major seasons, Spring is the one with the most tendency for your allergies to act up. Seasonal allergies, otherwise known as hay fever ...

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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 University Hills 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 University Hills 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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