You never want to think about the possibility of getting sick. It’s never fun to feel unwell, but it can cause anxiety if you aren’t sure what is causing your symptoms. That is certainly true when it comes to STDs! Sexually transmitted diseases can not only make you feel uncomfortable, but they can have a significant impact on your health later in life if they aren’t treated properly. Our AFC Urgent Care ...
We love the summer season for many reasons, but not for the increase in bugs and creepy crawlies in the area. The summer temperatures make us crawl out of our homes and into the sun, and the same goes for mosquitoes and ticks! Ticks can be found at any point in the year in North Carolina, but they are more prevalent during the late spring to early fall. If you discover a tick on your ...
Accidents happen—there’s just no way around it! Whether you are running around the kitchen getting dinner ready and you trip over one of your kid’s toys again or misstep coming down a ladder and fall, injuries can occur at any point. If you ever wonder whether an injury is just a mild sprain or something more serious, that’s where we come in. Our team can evaluate the injury site, and we ...
Getting older is just a fact of life. Every birthday you experience is a blessing, but that doesn’t change the fact that certain health conditions or ailments can be more common the older we get. This is why it is so important to take care of your body and mind throughout your entire life! A healthy body and brain can help support you during this aging process and can help you avoid certain cognitive ...
A warm summer‘s on its way to the Hickory community, and we can’t be more excited! There is always so much to do and wonderful weather to enjoy in the summertime around here. As you get ready to enjoy another summer of memories with your family, don’t forget your sunscreen. Getting sunburnt is never fun, and even though the burn is only temporary, it is dangerous to your skin and your overall ...
A salmonella infection is a form of food poisoning that affects your intestinal tract. It can cause some really unpleasant symptoms and make you feel really sick for a few days. Salmonella infections happen when you ingest contaminated food or water. This type of illness shares similar symptoms with common stomach bugs, so it can be hard to tell what you are suffering from initially. If you are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, check out our latest ...
As the flowers bloom and the trees begin to bud, it’s clear that it is springtime once more! Another clear indication of the change in season are those itchy, watery eyes and runny nose. Spring allergy season comes right along with the warmer temperatures, meaning many of us head indoors or make alternate plans to help minimize our symptoms. Seasonal allergies can be really frustrating to deal with! We want you to be feeling ...
If you have small children in your home, you probably know all about ear infections! They are one of the most common infections that children contract. It is also possible to get an ear infection as an adult, so knowing how to find relief if you or someone in your house is experiencing ear pain is crucial. Thankfully, ear infections are usually easily treatable at home. Our AFC Urgent Care Hickory team explains all about ...
Sleep is important for everyone, but it is especially important for your kids! Not only does proper sleep help them grow and develop, but it can also help them be more attentive and concentrate better during the day. We know that getting your kids to sleep more at night can often be a struggle, but working with your kids to create a healthy sleep routine will only be beneficial for everyone in your home. Our ...
If you start to develop a cough throughout your day, it is not uncommon to wonder where your cough will lead. A simple cold could be on the horizon for you, or you could be in the beginning stages of a bronchitis or pneumonia infection. Both bronchitis and pneumonia are infections that affect your upper respiratory systems and can cause severe symptoms if left untreated or unaddressed. We can help determine what type of infection ...
There is no doubt about it, we are in the throes of the winter season. We have dealt with colder temperatures, crazy weather and widespread respiratory infections already! In response to all of this, you might be feeling a bit more sad than normal at this point in the year. While periods of sadness or occasional symptoms of depression can happen during the winter, a condition called seasonal affective disorder is relatively common and affects ...
If the flu has made its way into your home, you certainly aren’t alone! There have been thousands of influenza cases across the country this season, and North Carolina is no different. If you are feeling under the weather, seeking treatment and relief is probably at the forefront of your mind. While the flu is a viral illness and needs to run its course, there are some things you can do to ease your ...
Getting sick is never fun. It can be especially a nuisance when it is cold outside and leaving your home to seek medication sounds even more miserable. In order to make the most of your trip, you should understand what kind of illness you are suffering from! Viral infections and bacterial infections are two different kinds of illnesses that require different treatment options. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Hickory team breaks down the ...
If you have a little one sick at home right now, you are not alone! There are so many illnesses circulating right now that it can feel like an uphill battle keeping your kids healthy. If your child is sick, chances are that he or she has had a fever at some point. Did you know that fevers can actually be aiding in his or her recovery? Most fevers are not serious and can actually ...
Influenza season is upon us once more! While it may feel like we just made it through last year’s season, it is time to start protecting ourselves from this year’s strains. Did you know that there are different versions of the flu shot available to you? While there is the standard flu shot that protects against the most common strains, there are high-dose vaccines designed to provide an extra layer of protection for ...
Headaches can be a tricky condition. If you start to experience pain in your head, neck or scalp, it can be scary! Some headaches can indicate a serious problem, while others can just be a sign that you need to drink more water. Thankfully, the majority of headaches don’t indicate a major issue and can be remedied by rest and fluids. Wondering what else you should know about headaches? Our AFC Urgent Care Hickory ...
As the weather starts to change and cool down, cold and flu season begins. No one wants to get sick, but when there are so many illnesses circulating at this time, sometimes it is unavoidable! A specific illness that you need to be especially careful about is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. While RSV normally produces minor symptoms in adults, it can be dangerous to infants and small children. If your child is starting to ...
Antibiotics are a wonderful tool used to reduce the amount of complications from infection and the potential for death. This includes all people, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly! However, antibiotics are only helpful against bacterial infections, so it is important to know what illness you are suffering from in order to seek the proper treatment. Visit us at AFC Urgent Care Hickory to start the process toward an antibiotic prescription, and check out our ...
Vertigo is not just a spell of dizziness. When you have vertigo, your world seems to continually spin or is constantly in motion around you. It can be debilitating and can create significant struggles in your daily life. Vertigo itself isn’t a disease, rather, it is a symptom stemming from a variety of conditions. It is relatively common, affecting about 40% of Americans at least once during their lifetimes. Our team at AFC Urgent ...
