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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
