COVID-19 cases are on the rise again around the country. We are thankful that the numbers haven’t reached pandemic level heights yet, but we all need to be hyper-vigilant right now to avoid getting sick. Remember, you can still get sick from COVID-19 this year even if you have already had it in years past. Knowing what symptoms to look for and how to avoid getting sick is key to staying healthy. Our AFC ...
School is back in full swing, and your busy schedule of homework, sports and activities has returned. What also has returned by now is probably at least one illness! The beginning of the school season always brings about an increase of viruses, stomach bugs and various infections, and many of them include a fever as one of the symptoms. Before you hurry out the door to have your child be seen for his or her ...
We see all kinds of illnesses and conditions on a daily basis. Some of them are easy to diagnose with a simple physical exam and some questioning, while others take a bit more investigative work. We are grateful to have such knowledgeable providers on our staff, and we are also grateful for the wide range of diagnostic tools at our disposal to help us along the way! One of those tools is the state-of-the-art lab ...
Taking steps toward quitting an addictive habit can be really hard to do, but the rewards will always be worth it in the end! This is especially true when it comes to smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. Smoking is bad for your health in every way, so quitting will only directly benefit you and those around you. The longer you smoke, the higher the risk you run of developing certain dangerous and even ...
Getting sick is just a part of life, and many of us expect to contract a few mild to moderate illnesses throughout the cycle of a regular year. What many of us don’t assume, however, is that we will contract an STD. Did you know that one in five Americans will experience an STD in any given year? Sexually transmitted diseases are actually really common, so you may wind up wondering if you should ...
The summer season not only brings warm and sunny days—it also brings out the creepy crawlies! Insect bites and stings are a common part of the summer season, and that includes encountering ticks from time to time. If you are outside minding your own business and discover a tick on your body, try not to panic! Many ticks are just a nuisance, but you should still focus on getting it off your skin as ...
We all know what it’s like to get sick. Coming down with a cold, the flu or an infection is commonplace and, while it may be unpleasant, we know how to treat ourselves and feel better fast. That might not be the case when it comes to injuries! While scrapes and bruises from time to time are not a big deal, injuries like broken bones can be really painful and even a little scary ...
It is a blessing to age, but that doesn’t mean aging doesn’t come with challenges from time to time. Our bodies and minds change as we get older, and there’s nothing wrong with that! While some changes are inevitable, there are things you can do to help support your body and brain to make these changes a little easier. By keeping your brain engaged and challenged every day, you can support a ...
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 ...
Cancer is a serious and sometimes scary disease. Some forms of cancer are more common in certain populations, while skin cancer can happen to anyone at any time. Overexposure to the rays of the sun is the most common reason that skin cancer develops, and the cancer can appear on any part of your body. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team wants you to be aware of any changing spots on your skin, so we ...
