Recent Blog Posts

Can You Get Strep Without Tonsils?

Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Hixson TN Has Answers for You Is getting strep without tonsils possible? The short answer is yes. Strep throat is caused by a particular strain of bacteria, group A Streptococcus. These bacteria can live in the nose and mouth.  The bacteria are spread through an infected person's saliva or mucus and contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. A person without tonsils can contract the infection if ...

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Here Are the Facts: Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia?

Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia?  Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? In some cases, this happens when the inflammation of the bronchial tubes persists for some time and is not treated properly, leading to a bacterial or viral infection that can cause pneumonia.  When bronchitis becomes severe, the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line the bronchi can become damaged, making it difficult for mucus to clear from the lungs. This trapped mucus creates a breeding ground ...

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How to fight Seasonal Affective Disorder

How can I boost my Vitamin D intake and Manage my Seasonal Affective Disorder? The holidays bring a lot of travelers through Hixson and the nearby area this time of year, whether to visit family or to venture out to the nearby Greenway Farms. It’s a busy time for everyone finishing up holiday shopping at shops like Northgate Mall or grabbing a bite to eat at local favorites like Mikes Tavern. No matter what ...

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What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns

What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns So, what are the degrees of burns? If you’ve been wondering how to identify burns, we’ve got the answers for you. Burns are a common injury that can occur from various sources, including hot liquids, fire, chemicals, and sun exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is crucial ...

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Does RSV Always Cause Respiratory Distress?

RSV can seem like a scary virus, and sometimes it is! RSV can infect anyone at any time, but the fall and winter months tend to experience higher caseloads because everyone is inside and spending more time closer together. Most adults will only experience mild symptoms when infected with RSV, but children and infants can have a much harder time overcoming the illness. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains more about ...

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Do My Kids Need the Flu Shot Every Year?

It can seem like a constant battle to keep your kids healthy at this time of year. RSV, COVID-19, strep throat and the flu are all circulating right now, and your children will come into contact with them at some point at school, on the bus or while out and about. While avoiding illness entirely is not possible, taking preventive steps now can help them stay healthier throughout the season. Getting your annual flu shot ...

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Urgent Care Experts Offer Alternatives to Phenylephrine

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 ...

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Why You Should See an Urgent Care Doctor for Wart Removal

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 ...

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How Do I Know If It Is COVID-19 or Another Infection?

Getting sick is always inconvenient no matter what you come down with. A scratchy throat, lingering cough and a fever can make it really hard to get anything done! Feeling better is everyone’s top priority in these situations, but it can be hard to find the right treatment if you don’t know what you have. Since many illnesses cause similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell what illness you have on your ...

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Who Is at Risk of Serious COVID-19 Complications?

What a crazy few years we have had as a community! We dealt with a worldwide pandemic and a mysterious illness for years as our talented medical community dedicated their lives to protecting us and keeping us healthy. We are grateful that the emergency status for COVID-19 has expired, but we also know that COVID-19 still remains in our community and has the ability to make people very sick. We don’t want you to ...

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Sports Physicals: Getting Ready to Go Back to School

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 ...

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What Causes You to Fall at Home More When You Get Older?

Each passing year is a blessing in its own way. You get to meet new people, have more life experiences and spend more time with your loved ones. There are, however, some risks that increase when you age. One of those risks is at-home falls. Tripping or slipping when you are younger was typically not a big deal. You would hit the ground but probably be able to pop back up with nothing more than ...

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Why Is Tobacco Smoke Bad For You?

Your lungs have the important job of breathing in oxygen and transporting that fresh air throughout your entire body. Each inhale is important to your health and well-being! If you inhale something other than oxygen into your lungs, it can have a directly negative impact on your organs and your overall health. Tobacco smoke is a compound that is incredibly irritating to your body and will increase your risk of certain diseases and physical changes ...

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Can You Get an STD Without Having Sex?

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 ...

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What Diagnoses Does the Lab at AFC Urgent Care Hixson Provide?

There are so many ways to get sick or be out of balance somewhere in your body. Our bodies are incredibly complex and any sort of deviation or trouble with one of our systems can lead to unpleasant symptoms or generally feeling unwell. Since there is so much going on in your body at any given time, it can be hard to pinpoint a diagnosis on your own at home! Thankfully, we are here seven ...

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How Can I Tell What Bug Bit Me?

Oh, summer, we love you! The sunny days and warm breezes can make any event or family function much more fun and pleasant. One thing we don’t like, however, is the increase in bugs and creepy-crawlies out and about. Most bugs aren’t harmful and are just annoying, but some of them can bite or sting—and it hurts! Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains more about some different bug bites to help ...

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How Fast Can STDs be Diagnosed at AFC?

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are incredibly common across the country. Did you know that one in five Americans will contract one in a given year? With those odds, it is always possible for you to wonder if you need to get tested. We encourage regular STD testing for those who are sexually active, and we are the place that you can come to for a quick and accurate test. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson ...

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How Can I Reduce My Risk of Dementia?

  As you get older, it becomes more common for those around you to start experiencing memory troubles or develop different forms of dementia. You might begin to wonder if and when this will happen to you! Memory conditions and dementia can be scary to think about, but there are a few things you can do to support your brain throughout your life to reduce your risk. Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide, making it ...

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What Can AFC Do for a Fracture?

No one ever wants to get hurt, but it happens. Even if you live an active lifestyle and do your best to avoid injury, getting hurt occasionally is just part of life. While a simple sprain or strain will eventually heal on its own, what should you do if your pain is lingering or getting worse instead of better? Come to AFC Urgent Care Hixson, of course! Our team is trained to diagnose and treat ...

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Urgent Care for Broken Bones & Fractures: What Urgent Care Treats

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 ...

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