Recent Blog Posts

Food Poisoning: When and Why to Visit AFC Knoxville TN Food poisoning is an unwelcome and often unpredictable health concern that can strike when we least expect it. Defined as an illness caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages, it can manifest as various symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe gastrointestinal distress. While some cases resolve on their own with rest and hydration, there are instances where seeking prompt medical attention becomes crucial. ${custom_link_1_title ...

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Is an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic Like Going to the ER? If you find yourself with an emergency medical condition that needs to be dealt with, it can often become an overwhelming situation. Thoughts of long waits, expensive treatments, and procedures at a hospital emergency room (ER) may cross your mind. However, the ER isn't always your only option - have you ever considered visiting an urgent care walk-in clinic? Urgent care clinics like AFC ...

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The holidays are here, and we are so excited to start celebrating with our closest family and friends. While we are all busy decorating our houses, buying gifts and attending parties, there is always the chance that you will get sick at this time of year. While the more common illnesses like colds and the flu can keep you down for a few days, foodborne illnesses are also more common during the holiday season and ...

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Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Knoxville 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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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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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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Upper respiratory infections can be really frustrating because they impact your ability to breathe normally, which is something that we all take for granted on a daily basis! The irritation and inflammation in your airways can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms. There are multiple different upper respiratory infections that you could contract at any time, one of them being RSV. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville doesn’t want you or your children ...

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We are entering into the height of the cold and flu season already in the Knoxville area. It seems like only yesterday we were outlining the importance of the flu shot for 2023, and yet here we are campaigning for our community to get vaccinated ahead of the 2024 season. The flu has the potential to cause serious illness, and it can spread quickly throughout certain populations. Getting vaccinated early in the season offers the ...

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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 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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If you wake up with a runny nose, scratchy throat and the chills, chances are that you turn to your phone or computer and fire up your favorite search engine. But when you type your symptoms into the search bar, you discover it could be a cold, the flu, strep throat or even COVID-19. Infections can share similar symptoms, which can make it hard to diagnose yourself at home. That’s where AFC Urgent Care ...

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We are so grateful to have been able to take care of so many COVID-19 patients in our community over the course of the last few years. While we aren’t happy that you were sick, helping you feel better is what we do best and what we are passionate about! Now that the emergency status for the virus is no longer active, it may seem like COVID-19 is no longer a big deal. That ...

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Getting older is such a blessing, but it certainly does come with some challenges and changes. Falls become more dangerous as we become a bit more unsteady on our feet! Falling as a child or even younger adult maybe would result in a bruise or scrape, but you would fare OK. Falling when you are older can lead to serious injuries like broken bones or even head injuries. Falling at home is one of the ...

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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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You sure can! We understand that smoking can be a really addictive habit, but you can do anything you set your mind to. Smoking negatively impacts your health in so many ways, so quitting will only allow you to lead a healthier life. Taking the first step toward quitting requires determination and motivation. Swapping simple habits like reaching for a glass of water instead of a soda can be easier, while giving up a difficult ...

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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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There are so many illnesses and conditions that can make your body feel out of whack. Frustrating symptoms can appear any time there is something amiss in your body, whether if it is situational, the beginnings of an infection or the development of a disease. That’s why it is often difficult to diagnose yourself at home! Thankfully, our center is fully equipped with the resources and diagnostic tools needed to get to the root ...

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There’s a lot to love about living in the Knoxville area! All of the family-friendly attractions, warm sunny days and friendly neighbors make this part of eastern Tennessee a great place to live. One thing that is annoying about the South, though, is all of the bugs! The summer time is certainly the time of year when all of the bugs and other creepy crawlies come out. While most of the bugs around us ...

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Your overall health should always be a top priority in your life—and that includes your sexual health. Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the most common conditions across the state and country. In fact, one in five people will contract one in any given year. If you are sexually active, you should be getting tested for STDs regularly as part of your preventive care routine. This not only protects you, but it also protects ...

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Dementia is the broad term for a variety of cognitive diseases that you can develop over your lifetime. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 55 million people worldwide. Losing your memory or watching a loved one go through the drastic personality changes associated with Alzheimer’s can be scary and overwhelming. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville explains more below about dementia and how to support ...

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