Recent Blog Posts

How Long Do Kidney Stones Last? Understanding Kidney Stones: Formation, Symptoms, and Treatment Kidney stones are a common and often painful condition that affects many individuals. Optimizing your knowledge about their formation, symptoms, and the latest treatment options can empower you to navigate this health challenge with confidence. What Triggers Kidney Stone Formation? Kidney stones, or renal calculi, form when certain waste products in urine do not dissolve properly, leading to an imbalance that causes ...

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Gastonia, situated in scenic Southwest North Carolina, is a gem with its natural beauty and historic small-town charm. Recognized as a three-time All-American City and a U.S. Conference of Mayors Top Livability winner, it’s a community where families are thriving. Parenthood brings its own set of challenges, including dealing with common issues like ear infections in young children. If your little one is experiencing the discomfort of an ear infection, fear not. AFC ...

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Why Does My Skin Get Dry During the Winter? As winter settles across Gastonia, North Carolina, a chill in the air adds a touch of coziness to the season. It’s the perfect time to enjoy innovative dining in Uptown Charlotte, learn more about the natural world at the Schiele Museum of Natural History, or enjoy lakeside views at Rankin Lake Park. However, the winter air also brings an unpleasant dryness that can leave your ...

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Is There a Difference Between Telemedicine and Telehealth Urgent Care? Telehealth urgent care and telemedicine are terms that are often  used interchangeably but actually have some distinct differences. Telehealth is an umbrella term that refers to the use of technology in a variety of healthcare services, while telemedicine is a specific type of telehealth service that involves remote clinical services between a doctor and a patient. Pre-Register What Is Telehealth Urgent Care? At its core ...

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Food Poisoning: When and Why to Visit AFC Gastonia NC Food poisoning is an unwelcome and often unpredictable health concern that can strike when we least expect it. Defined as an illness caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages, it can manifest as various symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe gastrointestinal distress. While some cases resolve on their own with rest and hydration, there are instances where seeking prompt medical attention becomes crucial. ${custom_link_1_title ...

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There are nearly 3.4 million truck drivers in the United States, according to a 2020 survey by the American Trucking Associations. Most truck drivers must pass a Department of Transportation Physical (DOT Physical) to keep a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). If you’re wondering what a DOT physical is, here’s what to expect during one. Understanding What a DOT Physical Is The U.S. Department of Transportation sets the DOT physical ...

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Can Humidifiers Prevent the Flu? As winter arrives in Gastonia, NC, it is important to focus on staying healthy to make it a happy holiday season. Whether you are a local or just visiting town this season, take a trip to the African American Museum, or go on an adventure to Crowders Mountain State Park. Grab a bite to eat at Webb Custom Kitchen or get a boost of energy at Canal Coffee Company. If ...

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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 ...

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The family gatherings are starting, the boxes of decorations are being pulled out and you are dusting off that holiday sweater that always wins you first place at the ugly sweater party. There’s no doubt about it, the holidays are here! While you may be excited to celebrate with friends and family, this time of year can also be really frustrating because of all of the different illnesses circulating. A single infection could cause ...

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Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Gastonia NC 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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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RSV season is here once more, so it is important to refresh your memory on what this pesky illness is and how to prevent your kids from getting it. While anyone can contract RSV, it disproportionately causes severe illness in small children and infants. Having sick kids in your home is never fun, but it can be especially dangerous if your little one comes down with RSV. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team wants your ...

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The weather is changing, the leaves are starting to fall and there is pumpkin spice-flavored everything on the store shelves. There’s no doubt about it, fall is here to stay. The change in season can be a great time of year, but the colder months bring their own challenges when it comes to your health and wellness. Influenza cases are rising already in our community and we want you to stay as healthy as ...

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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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So, you woke up with a sore throat. We are sorry you are feeling sick! Different illnesses can cause all kinds of symptoms, but a sore throat is typically a sign that something is going on. While you may suspect that you are getting sick, a sore throat is a really common symptom! That can make it hard to diagnose yourself at home because it could be COVID-19, influenza, a cold or even strep throat ...

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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 ...

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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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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 ...

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