Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are no joke, and they’re actually quite common among Americans. Between 60 and 70 million people deal with them every year! Learn more about GI diseases and steps you can take toward preventing them from our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team below. What Is a GI Disease? GI disorders are problems with any of the organs along the gastrointestinal tract, which starts at the throat and ends at the anus. GI ...
“Breakthrough” infections weren’t very common at all a few months ago. During the initial strain of COVID-19 and even during the delta variant, the CDC stated that breakthrough infections would be unlikely. With omicron, though, this is not the case. Why is that? Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team highlights why breakthrough infections are more likely with the omicron variant below, so keep reading. What Are Breakthrough Infections? Breakthrough infections, according to the CDC ...
Mononucleosis, or “mono” for short, is a common viral infection. Many teens and young adults will get this virus that spreads almost primarily through the transmission of saliva. While mono’s symptoms can linger for a long time in some cases, this viral infection isn’t typically considered a serious illness. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team further elaborates on mono below, so keep reading! What Is Mono? Mono is often referred to as the ...
Does it seem like many more people get sick with viruses during the winter? If this is a trend you’ve noticed, it’s not a coincidence. According to the CDC, the flu and other viruses reach their peak between December and February every year. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains why this is the case! Does Cold Weather Have an Impact on Viral Activity? Yes, it does. While you can ...
Croup is an infection that most parents with young children are aware of, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to deal with! While it’s true that croup is generally harmless, the cough that young children have to experience sounds awful and can be a cause for concern. Plus, croup is contagious! Learn more about this respiratory infection from our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team below. What Causes Croup? The most ...
Strep throat is more common this time of year. According to the CDC, between 11,000 and 13,000 strep throat cases happen each year, but they’re highly preventable and treatable. If you start to experience strep throat symptoms, though, it’s important to treat this infection ASAP. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains why below. What Is Strep Throat? Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is caused by a bacteria called ...
Thankfully, yes, there are. Although there is no cure for the flu since it’s a virus that will need to run its course, there are things you can do at home to reduce the severity of flu-related symptoms. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team provides some helpful info on the flu and its home treatments below, so keep reading! Can I Treat the Flu at Home? Sadly, the flu spreads every year. Despite your ...
Every year, one in four adults aged 65 or older will fall. Falls can result in devastating injuries like broken bones, and falling once can double the chances of a second fall. There are many ways to prevent falls from happening in your home, and our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team has listed several of the best prevention tactics below. Here’s what to do: Reduce clutter and keep the home tidy. Clutter in the ...
Many of us know what getting a sinus infection is like. We feel stopped up and off-kilter, but thankfully the symptoms typically subside after a few days. While nasal and throat congestion are two of the most common types of sinusitis symptoms, headaches are something to be on the lookout for, too. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains why below, so read on! What Is a Sinus Infection? The sinuses are air-filled spaces inside ...
The COVID-19 vaccine has recently been deemed safe for everyone ages 5 and up. This is great news—especially for schools. If you are planning to take your child to get the COVID-19 vaccine during flu season, it might be a good idea to get both at the same time. In fact, getting double-dosed has been deemed safe for children by the CDC and numerous medical experts. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team elaborates on ...
Ringworm is a common fungal infection and doesn’t have anything at all to do with an actual worm. In fact, this type of infection was originally termed “ringworm” because of the way it forms circular rashes (rings) with redness and itchiness. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team provides some more information on ringworm below, so keep reading! What Causes Ringworm? Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that can be caused by three different types ...
There are few things worse than having an upset stomach and feeling nauseous. This condition can completely throw off your day, making you feel like you can’t get too far from the toilet and limiting the foods and drinks you can enjoy. Luckily, our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team provides some ways you can treat your nausea at home, so keep reading! Here’s what to do: Avoid lying down. When the body is ...
A yeast infection occurs when the body’s natural yeast (Candida) grows out of control. Yeast infections most often develop in the vagina, but they can also develop in other moist areas on the body, such as the mouth, gut and throat. They can also happen to men, but it’s not very common. Women have a much higher risk of getting a yeast infection, so it’s important to be aware of what these ...
Bronchitis is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a painful respiratory illness that can last much longer than anticipated, in addition to having the ability to lead to more serious illnesses, like pneumonia. Older adults (over the age of 65) and young children (under the age of 2) are most likely to get sick with bronchitis, but there are other risk factors that can make you more likely to develop this sickness. Read on as ...
STDs are quite a big problem in the United States today. In fact, one in five people has an STD, which is an all-time high. Getting tested for STDs is more important than you might realize, and it’s also quick and easy. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson provides further helpful info about STDs below, so keep reading! Who Is at Risk of Getting an STD? Anyone who is sexually active with more ...
If you’ve developed a rash this summer, you’re certainly not alone. It’s possible to get a rash during any time of the year, but rashes are more common during the summer months. Most rashes can be successfully treated at home, and our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains some effective ways you can treat your rash below. Here’s what to do: The first thing you should do before trying any home ...
Pulled muscles are the worst, and they are certainly much more common to experience as you age. If you’ve pulled a muscle recently, what can you do to help it feel better and get back to living your previously active lifestyle? Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team shares some helpful information below, so read on. When Does a Pulled Muscle Happen? Pulled muscles are often called muscle strains, and they typically happen when the ...
Cat bites can happen to anyone, and they certainly aren’t pleasant when they do happen. If your cat has bitten you and you aren’t sure what to do next, read on as our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team provides some helpful information on the necessary next steps. What Should I Do First for an Animal Bite? First, you should perform first aid on your bite wound. We’ve listed the necessary first-aid steps ...
If you’ve spent much time outdoors, you’re probably no stranger to poison ivy or poison oak. If you’ve been fortunate enough, you’ve avoided coming in contact with these pesky plants, but if you haven’t been so fortunate, you’ve probably suffered a tremendously itchy rash. We know that both plants cause rashes, so what’s the difference between them? Find out below as our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains ...
Picture this: You’re cutting up vegetables for dinner, the knife slips and you cut yourself on accident. What do you do? Do you just bandage up the wound and wait for it to heal on its own, or do you visit the doctor for more professional care? When dealing with cuts, it can be hard to know the answers to these questions, but our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team is here to help you ...
