As the seasons change and the temperature drops, it's not uncommon to hear warnings about the arrival of cold and flu season. During this time, many people become more wary of their health and take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. However, amidst the heightened awareness, numerous myths and misconceptions about this season have been perpetuated over the years. American Family Care (AFC) debunks these myths and separates fact from fiction, enabling you to ...
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 ...
Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Livingston NJ 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Laryngitis is a common condition that occurs when the vocal cords become inflamed. It’s often accompanied by a hoarse, raspy voice that can cause discomfort or pain when speaking or swallowing. While the severity and duration of laryngitis can vary, many people have questions about its symptoms– including whether the condition causes a cough. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of laryngitis as well as outline when to seek medical ...
As the temperatures continue to drop and winter sets in, many people might feel inclined to stay indoors. It can be easy to forgo our exercise routine in the winter. However, it’s important to stay active in order to support our overall health and wellness. To ensure your workouts remain enjoyable and safe during colder weather, here are some essential tips for exercising in cold weather. As much as we try to prevent them ...
As we head closer to the cold and flu season, it’s not unlikely that you may find yourself stuck in bed with the sniffles. The flu is a very common respiratory illness that can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. In this blog, we’ll explore the duration of flu symptoms, as well as preventive measures and treatment options so you can get the care you need, when you need it. For a walk-in ...
Halloween is rapidly approaching! Do you have your costumes planned? While the holiday can bring about a great amount of excitement, it’s crucial to not forgo health and safety measures. Prevent injuries and illnesses on Halloween night by continuing to read the tips outlined in this article. Visit AFC Urgent Care Livingston for quality, convenient, and affordable family care. We’re open seven days a week and never require appointments– just walk-in! Avoiding Injuries ...
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 ...
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 ...
As the leaves change and the temperatures drop, the annual questions about flu season begins again. Some people wonder, “Do I really need a flu shot every year?” The short answer is yes, and this blog will explain why getting a flu shot annually is crucial for your health and the health of those around you. For your annual flu shot, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. We focus on making flu ...
Uncomfortable symptoms can often be concerning and lead people to question which ailment they are experiencing. While symptoms between a urinary tract infection (UTI) and a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can overlap, distinguishing between the two is crucial for proper treatment and to prevent the spread of infections. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between UTIs and STDs to help you understand and address these distinct health issues. For same-day UTI and ...
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. Save Your Spot The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...
Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen in females can indicate unique problems related to women’s health. Learn more about what can cause pain and when to seek medical attention. Where is the pain coming from? There are many organs on the left side of the abdomen. When experiencing lower left side pain, it could be coming from one of these organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic: Small intestine Colon Appendix Ovaries ...
As the days grow shorter and the air gets cooler, we all know that fall is just around the corner. Along with the changing leaves and cozy sweaters, the flu season is also fast approaching. While many of us associate flu with a general illness, it's important to recognize that the virus can pose serious health risks– especially for vulnerable individuals. This blog will explain how getting an early flu shot is a crucial ...
School sports are an essential part of many children’s lives. However, as a parent, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with sports– like the risk of concussions. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can have lasting effects on a child’s health and well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore what every parent should know about school sports and concussions, including prevention, recognition, and proper management ...
From 2010 to 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were 9.4 million to 41 million flu illnesses every year. But there is an easy way to protect yourself — the flu shot. Studies show that the severity of the flu is significantly less if you catch the flu but are vaccinated. The CDC says the flu vaccine reduces the risk of seeing a doctor for the flu by 40% to ...
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 ...
The common cold is an illness that most people experience at least once during their lives. While it’s not typically a serious health concern, a cold’s contagious nature can be a cause for concern. Understanding the contagious period of the common cold is crucial to prevent its spread, so those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions are protected. In this blog, we’ll explore how long the common cold is contagious ...
