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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person living in the United States passes away every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease. During American Heart Month this February, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know what steps you can take in order to live a healthier lifestyle so that you can promote a healthier heart for years and years to come! What Kind of Diet Helps Your Heart Health ...
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 ...
Getting sick can be a scary situation no matter what you are sick with. Our bodies all respond differently to illness and while one person might have minimal symptoms with a certain illness, you might react much differently. Infections range in severity, and it is important to keep an eye on how you are feeling. This is certainly true with a salmonella infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains more about salmonella infections below ...
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 Gastonia 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 ...
The time has come for warmer weather, sunnier days…and seasonal allergies. Although spring is a fresh start for many, it can cause troublesome allergy symptoms as the trees and flowers start to bloom. More than 80 million Americans experience seasonal allergies, making it one of the most common conditions. As pollen enters the air, your symptoms will start to appear and won’t go away until the pollen levels drop again. If you are ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Gastonia 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 ...
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 ...
Ear infections are a really common type of infection, especially in small children. They can be standalone infections or be caused by another illness. In any case, they can be downright painful! They can cause a variety of symptoms, and they can be really uncomfortable while your body works to overcome the infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains all about ear infections and the pain they cause below, so read on to learn ...
We are proud of the way the healthcare industry shifted and changed during the course of the pandemic. All of the adjustments, virtual visits and telemedicine options allowed people the resources they needed in a safer environment. With the pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May, there will be some changes to healthcare practices, including some aspects of telemedicine. We have good news, though! An in-person visit to AFC Urgent Care Gastonia ...
Life gets so busy that it can be hard to focus on slowing down and going to sleep. Whether the cause is working long hours or the fact that you just can’t stop watching your favorite show, losing hours of sleep is common for many adults across the country. Regardless of whether you are immediately feeling the effects, not getting an appropriate amount of sleep can be harmful for your health over time. Our ...
