Recent Blog Posts

Why Is My Skin Itchy After Being Outside? Signs of Poison Plant Exposure

Summer and early fall are some of the best times to enjoy the outdoors in East Tennessee. Whether your plans include hiking, fishing, backyard projects, gardening, camping, or simply spending more evenings outside, warmer weather naturally means more time around plants and wooded spaces. Unfortunately, outdoor season sometimes comes with an unexpected souvenir an itchy rash that seems to appear out of nowhere. If you have ever wondered whether a rash came from poison ivy ...

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Why Do Mosquito Bites Get So Big? Mosquito Bite Relief, Prevention & Skeeter Syndrome Near Hixson, TN

Summer around Hixson has a way of pulling people outside. Whether you are spending the day near the river, catching community events, grilling in the backyard, walking the Greenway, or watching kids burn energy at evening practices, warm weather tends to keep everyone moving.  Unfortunately, mosquitoes enjoy East Tennessee summers just as much as we do.  For most people, mosquito bites are little more than an itchy inconvenience that disappear after a few days. But ...

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Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke? Learn the Signs, Symptoms, and When to Seek Care in Hixson, TN

Summer in Hixson brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy everything the Chattanooga area has to offer. Whether you’re shopping and dining around Vinterest Antiques, spending the day at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, attending community events throughout Hamilton County, or enjoying time with family around the Tennessee River, warm weather is a welcome part of the season.  However, East Tennessee summers can also bring prolonged periods of heat and humidity. When temperatures rise and ...

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What Should Families Know About Fireworks Safety?

Summer in Hixson is filled with lake weekends, neighborhood cookouts, and Fourth of July celebrations that bring families together across the Chattanooga area. Whether you’re spending time near Chickamauga Lake, gathering at Chester Frost Park, or heading downtown for holiday festivities, Independence Day in East Tennessee always feels like one of the biggest highlights of summer.  This year feels even more exciting as communities prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Families throughout Hixson ...

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Spring Tick Season: Should You Visit Urgent Care After a Tick Bite?

Spring and summer in Hixson mean spending more time outdoors enjoying the scenic beauty that makes Southeast Tennessee such a special place to live. Families head to Chester Frost Park for camping weekends, hikers explore the trails around Stringer’s Ridge, and boaters spend sunny afternoons on Chickamauga Lake. Whether you are walking your dog through a neighborhood greenway or enjoying a picnic near the Tennessee River, warmer weather also brings a sharp increase in ...

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First Aid Basics and When to Visit Urgent Care

From spending weekends near Chickamauga Lake to everyday routines at home or work, life in Hixson is active and full of opportunities for both fun and unexpected mishaps. Whether it’s a fall while enjoying the outdoors, a burn while cooking, or a sudden injury during daily activities, accidents can happen when you least expect them. In these moments, knowing how to respond with basic first aid can make a meaningful difference before professional care ...

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Gardening Safety Guide: How to Avoid Injury and Stay Healthy

Nothing beats spending a sunny afternoon in your garden planting, pruning, and tending to your yard, especially when you have recently purchased new plants from Home Depot or another favorite garden center. But gardening is physically demanding, and even minor missteps can lead to back strain, joint pain, or sprains.  Understanding the risks and taking simple precautions can keep you healthy while you enjoy your outdoor projects.  Visit AFC Urgent Care of Hixson today!    Gardening ...

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Could It Be a Concussion? Head Injury Symptoms After a Fall or Hit

Spending time outdoors, whether it’s at a game at Cleveland T. Grimes Soccer Complex,  playing on the playground, or just enjoying the weather while walking your dog at Greenway Farms; sometimes can unfortunately come with a few bumps and falls along the way. Most of the time, it’s nothing serious. But when a head injury happens, it’s important to know when it could be something more than just a minor knock.  A ...

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Sinus Infection or Spring Allergies? Know the Symptoms & When to Seek Urgent Care

Spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy warmer weather, whether buying plants and flowers from the local Home Depot’s Garden Center or fishing at Chester Frost Park. But for many people, spring also brings pollen season and with it symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure.  The challenge is that seasonal allergies and sinus infections can feel very similar. Both can cause nasal congestion, headaches, and fatigue, making it difficult to ...

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Can You Get Measles If You’ve Been Vaccinated?

Whether you’re trying to enjoy a rare warm winter’s day with your kids on a neighborhood playground like Vandergriff Park or visiting a local jump park such as Jumpin’ Jellybeans to get rid of cabin fever, being aware of germs and illnesses may not be your primary concern. However, with the latest uptick of measles cases across the country, it may be a good idea to refresh your understanding of the incredibly contagious ...

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Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment: Benefits of Light Therapy

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, meeting up with friends, visiting with relatives, gift exchanges, and lots of great food; winter can seem never ending. The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and even though you may be embracing that New Years resolution to visit the local gym or get more steps in at the Tennessee Riverpark; your mood may be low.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression linked ...

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Norovirus GII.17: The New Variant and How Urgent Care Can Help You Recover Faster

During the winter months, many people try to find ways to stay entertained but out of the elements. One activity many turn to is going to see a movie. There are many movie theaters such as AMC Northgate 14 advertising new films for us to enjoy while eating popcorn in the comfortable, warm seats of the theater. However, public spaces, including movies, can also increase your risk of catching illnesses like norovirus, commonly known as ...

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COVID-19 Digestive Symptoms Explained

Whether you’re grabbing groceries at Publix, attending a local school event, working out at Crunch Fitness-Hixson, or enjoying a community gathering, everyday activities can increase your exposure to viruses like COVID-19. While many people think of COVID as only a respiratory illness, some infections begin differently; sometimes the symptoms include stomach issues. Understanding how COVID can affect your digestive system can help you recognize symptoms early and get the right care.  If you’re ...

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Respiratory Infection: What to Expect

We’ve all felt it coming on, the scratchy throat, stuffy nose, congestion, and fatigue associated with a respiratory infection. You could be out enjoying a beautiful winter’s day at Greenway Farms or the Tennessee Riverpark but later feel more exhausted and run down than normal. Often, these are the first symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, also known as a URI. Respiratory infections are common, especially during colder months or seasonal changes. While ...

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Cold Lasting More Than 10 Days? Visit Urgent Care

Winter in Hixson is the season of sniffles, sore throats, and lingering coughs, whether you’re catching up with friends at The Rosecomb or competing in a lively game of bowling at Spare Time Hixson with family, no one has time for a cold that just won’t go away. While most colds clear up within a week or two, symptoms that just won’t resolve can be frustrating and concerning. Is it simply a ...

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Indigestion or Pancreatitis? Signs You Need Same-Day Care

Overeating during the holidays, especially if you are indulging in a great meal at Hennen’s Steakhouse, is common, but having nagging digestive upset and pain afterwards is not. How do you know if your symptoms are normal or if you need to seek medical care and treatment? This blog will help you understand the differences between indigestion and pancreatitis, what the symptoms for each are, and when to seek an AFC urgent care center ...

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Understanding the Flu Season: How to Prevent Illness and Know When Urgent Care is Needed.

Every flu season is different, and this year’s is already shaping up to be an active one. Whether out shopping at Northgate Mall or going to eat with family and friends at the area’s best restaurants, catching the flu is an unfortunate possibility. If you’ve started feeling run-down or you’re trying to stay ahead of the virus, AFC Urgent Care is here to help you recognize symptoms early, get fast testing ...

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Urgent Care or Primary Care? Find Out Which is Best for Your Care.

Primary Care Vs. Urgent Care: What’s the Difference?  Determining where to go to seek medical treatment can be confusing. Have you ever needed immediate medical care for something but weren’t sure where to go? Should you go to your primary care doctor? Would urgent care be the better option? Is it serious enough for the emergency room?   Deciding whether or not to go to the Emergency Room is straightforward. ER care is needed ...

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How to Recognize the Signs of Food Poisoning vs a Stomach Virus

Going out to eat with friends or family during the holidays can be an enjoyable way to spend time together. Spending time shopping, sipping a festive beverage, or looking at the lights around Hixson and surrounding areas can also be a great way to make memories with family and friends. However, feeling sick afterwards can be unsettling and something you shouldn’t ignore. Understanding if your digestive upset is from contaminated food or a stomach ...

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Seasonal allergies or sinus Infection? Here’s how to know.

Stuffy nose, facial pressure, and a relentless headache; sound familiar? If you’re battling these symptoms, you might be asking yourself: is this a sinus infection, or just seasonal allergies acting up? The overlap of symptoms can be confusing, especially in the transitional seasons of spring and fall when pollen counts soar and respiratory issues spike. But knowing the difference between the two isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for choosing the right treatment ...

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