Recent Blog Posts

" It’s no secret that pulling a muscle hurts. Plus, the time it takes to make a full recovery from a pulled muscle isn’t short; however, there are things you can do to potentially speed up the recovery time to get back on your feet sooner than later! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team further explains this below. What Happens When I Pull a Muscle? A pulled muscle, or muscle strain, occurs when a ...

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Animal bites are both painful and scary. Some aren’t that serious and don’t even break the skin, but some can become serious and at risk of becoming infected. So, how are you supposed to successfully treat them if you or your child has been bitten? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some answers below, so read on! Is It Possible for My Bite to Get Infected? It’s definitely possible, but it’s ...

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Flu rates have gone down drastically in the past year and a half due to social distancing and other health-safety precautions, but it’s still possible to get sick with the virus. If you suspect that you may have the flu, consider getting a rapid flu test! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains why rapid flu tests are effective and accurate below, so keep reading. How Is the Flu Different from COVID-19? The flu ...

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No matter the cause of the rash, they can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. While you can certainly seek medical care to take care of your or your child’s rash, there are some things you can do at home that can help treat it, too! Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides some additional helpful information on rashes. What Causes a Skin Rash? Skin rashes can be caused by many things ...

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Have you recently sustained a cut or laceration that is causing lots of bleeding? If so, it can be quite scary and can require professional medical attention at times, but there are things that you can do to slow or even stop the bleeding before visiting the doctor. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia highlights some basic first-aid tactics and home remedies below. Here’s what to do: Wash your hands first before interacting with the ...

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Not only are the events leading up to an X-ray often unpleasant, but getting an X-ray in and of itself can be a little nerve-wracking. So, what do need to know before getting an X-ray, and is anything required of you that will end up being inconvenient? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team shares some helpful information about the X-ray process below, so read on! What Are X-rays? X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation ...

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Kidney infections are rare, but they can be severe. About one in every 30 cases of a UTI will lead to a kidney infection, and they are more common among women than men; although, they can affect anyone at any age. What exactly are kidney infections, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team has some answers, so read on. What Exactly Is a Kidney Infection? A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary ...

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It’s safe to say that you’re aware of how common earaches are among children, but that doesn’t mean that you’re exempt from ear pain! You don’t have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia shares some helpful info on some common causes of ear pain. What’s Causing My Ear Pain? When ...

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Did you know? Before your child can begin playing a sport this spring, he or she will need a sports physical first! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains why below, so keep reading! Why Is a Sports Physical Necessary? Sports physicals, or Pre-Participation Exams (PPEs), are important because they can help you find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with your child’s participation in a sport. Plus, visiting your ...

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Strep throat is a very common virus. It is most common in the late fall and early spring and among children between the ages of 5 and 15, but adults can get it too. In fact, approximately 11,000 to 24,000 Americans fall ill to the infection every year. So, how can you avoid getting strep throat this year? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia has the answers you’re looking for, so ...

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Symptoms and COVID-19 are not a consistent match. In fact, medical experts across the globe have stated that symptoms are different in almost every COVID-19 case. Now, back pain has been making its way into the conversation. Is back pain something that you should be watching out for? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia has some helpful answers. How Common Is Back Pain in COVID-19? According to a past study done ...

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While UTIs (urinary tract infections) are most common among women, they affect thousands of men every year as well. UTIs are best treated by using antibiotics, but there are lots of ways to prevent these pesky infections without having to go back to the doctor. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains. Where to start: Drink plenty of water. This is the easiest and one of the best ways to prevent ...

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While the FDA has stated that it’s not proven that COVID-19 is carried through food, there is still a high risk involved in going out to eat. We definitely get that cooking can get tiring, but there are ways to enjoy your favorite restaurant without dining in! Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia further explains. Why Is Going Out to Eat Considered Unsafe? COVID-19 is much more easily transmitted indoors ...

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Dry skin is the worst, isn’t it? Although the winter can often bring snow and new yearly aspirations, it also brings about dry skin for many of us. If you deal with dry skin every year, there are some effective ways to alleviate some of that pesky skin-cracking! Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia shares some helpful tips on skincare below. Does Cold Weather Have an Effect on My Skin ...

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Even though the CDC-recommended health precautions are helpful, the risk of actually getting COVID-19 still exists. That can be a scary thought for many of us, but even the CDC states that most cases can be worked through in the comfort of our own homes. If you’ve followed the proper health-safety precautions and you still have come down with a case of the coronavirus, don’t panic! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia ...

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Unfortunately, yes. Many people struggle with getting a good night’s rest each night. One study reported that one in three Americans do not get enough sleep each night! So, if rest does not come easy to you, you are not alone. However, adequate sleep is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some helpful insight into this topic ...

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“Maskne” is one of the new words of 2020, and it’s safe to say that a lot of us deal with it. “Maskne,” or mask-related acne, is prevalent in the lives of many because of the importance of wearing masks in public. With masks and necessary COVID-19 precautions here to stay for the foreseeable future, that pesky acne around our mouths and noses might not be going away anytime soon. Don’t worry, though ...

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Yes—and that’s just the short answer! It’s safe to say that many of us are aware of how music can affect our moods, but music is even more powerful than just being a mood booster. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains why below. How Does Music Affect My Brain? Listening to music can do wonders for the health of your brain. According to a study done by The Burnett Honors ...

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Whether or not it has to do with keeping up with the pandemic, we’re all constantly checking our phones these days. But did you know? Too much screen time can potentially have pretty serious effects on our mental health. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains why. Why Is Too Much Screen Time a Bad Thing? Experts say that a healthy amount of screen time ranges from around two to three hours per ...

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Yes! We know that having to consistently wear masks can be inconvenient at times, but the reality is that wearing them significantly helps in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Don’t believe us? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia breaks down masks and their health benefits. What Evidence Is There to Support the Health Benefits of Masks? Many scientists have done studies on masks and their usefulness in slowing the spread ...

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