Recent Blog Posts

October 8th through the 15th is National Flu Prevention Week in the US. This week is observed annually to help raise awareness and bring attention to the importance of preventative medicine and vaccinations, especially during flu season. This week-long initiative aims to safeguard the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the nation and boost overall public health. History of National Flu Prevention Week  In the early 20th centuries, flu outbreaks happened fairly frequently and were ...

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In the realm of public health, few preventative measures rival the significance of receiving the annual flu vaccine. This immunization not only safeguards individuals but also plays a pivotal role in community well-being. It is crucial to understand why getting the flu vaccine is imperative, particularly in regions like Portland and the broader Pacific Northwest.  Regional Relevance in the Pacific NW  Climate Variability: The Pacific Northwest experiences diverse weather patterns, with chilly, damp winters being ...

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Do you feel like recently you and/or those around you have been getting sicker in recent allergy seasons? AFC Portland’s very own Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrew Miller, has some insight on what’s going on and what may be causing this uptick in illnesses. “The current allergy season is the worst that it’s been in years, so we are seeing a lot of visits for congestion, sore throat, and cough. These ...

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With the rise of telemedicine, there is an increasing availability of virtual doctor appointments. This is often a more convenient option for patients, but it is important to know when an in-person doctor’s appointment is necessary. However, in some cases, a virtual appointment may actually be the best option available.  In-person appointments should be booked when a physical exam is needed. This includes physical conditions such as broken bones, lacerations, or other ailments that ...

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If ever there were a time during the year that all workers dread, it has to be flu season. Sniffling coworkers, wheezing kids and running out of tissues or hand sanitizer can make the months of flu season extremely stressful, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who remains healthy. Every year, American businesses lose billions of dollars in sick days and lost productivity. Experts estimate the economy will lose about about $20 ...

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Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus — and to be honest, if you’ve never experienced the flu before, then consider yourself extremely lucky! This combination of upper respiratory congestion, fever, cough, sore throat, and nausea/vomiting is something that can knock even the healthiest person off their feet for a few days at the very least. Now that “cold and flu season” is well ...

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AH-CHOO! Oh, no! Are you starting to experience the symptoms of the flu? But, wait—you just got a flu shot, so how can you be experiencing flu symptoms? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to better understand how the flu vaccine works, as well as put an end to the myth about the flu shot giving you flu. Does the Flu Vaccine Work? Although researchers would like to think they have ...

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Brace yourself. Cold and flu season is in full effect. It’s time for stuffy noses, the sniffles, and coughs loud enough to wake Sleeping Beauty to start plaguing the public. If you haven’t contracted either a cold or the flu yet, consider yourself lucky. But if you, like most people during this brutal time of year, came down with some sort of version of either, it’s likely that you sought some sort ...

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According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are the ones who need flu shots most. Federal health officials revealed that only four out of 10 babies in the U.S. between the ages of six and 23 months are getting vaccinated against the flu. The results were based on data analyzed from the 2011 and 2012 flu seasons. Between this current flu season and the 2002-2003 ...

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You may experience a hoarse cough, a stuffy nose, and feel sore even though you’re long overdue for a workout.  Are you experiencing a cold, or do you have the flu? The symptoms of the common cold and the flu are very similar.  Some of the similarities include: Dry cough Runny or stuffy nose Watery eyes But the biggest differences between common cold and flu symptoms is that the flu comes on very suddenly ...

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The much-dreaded flu season is here, which means it’s time to protect yourself against the virus and common myths that surround it. Every year these misconceptions surface and spread…well…like a virus. Flu myths such as these are equally as harmful as they are false, so don’t let misinformation about the flu and the preventative vaccine blind you from the truth! Instead, turn to the physicians you trust at AFC Urgent Care ...

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Spring is in the air! There is no need to worry about the flu, right? Unfortunately, even during the spring season, you can still catch the flu. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to stay safe this spring by learning the signs of the flu, as well as ways to prevent the illness in the first place. How Long Does the Flu Last? If you’ve ever had the flu, you know ...

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Keeping kids healthy at the start of a new school year can be a daunting task. They’re playing, making new friends, and coming into close contact with a large number of people on a daily basis.  You can’t always stop your kids from getting sick, but you can help increase the odds of staying healthy by reminding them about these commonsense tips that really do help. Healthy Hands; Happy Home Children of all ...

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If you’ve gotten your flu shot already, great job! You’re much better protected against getting the flu this flu season. And if you still haven’t gotten your yearly flu shot yet, there’s no time to waste! Protecting yourself against the flu is vital to your health, as well as the health of those around you, and as we approach peak flu season you’re more likely than before to catch the ...

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Flu season has officially begun, and if you haven’t gotten your vaccine, you’re putting yourself and others at risk of getting very sick. However, we understand you might have some questions about the flu vaccine: What exactly is in it, and how does it work? What is in the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine contains inactive (dead) virus cells of the most common strains of the flu virus. The vaccine contents change annually ...

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Although it’s strongly recommended for preventing the flu, getting a vaccine is not the only way to protect yourself from the flu. What you eat every day can also keep you from getting sick. Next time your headed to the store, add these 5 Flu Fighting Foods to your grocery lists to help fight the flu this year. 5 FLU FIGHTING FOODS GARLIC – Garlic contains allicin, a compound that is known to boost immunity ...

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We grow up learning that sharing is caring. However, when it comes to germs, that is one thing you need to keep to yourself, especially when it comes to strep throat. What Causes Strep Throat? Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus. It’s an intense inflammation of the throat that occurs because of a bacterial infection. While strep throat can occur in both adults and children, it is most commonly diagnosed among children ...

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By December, many people feel like it’s too late to get their flu shot. Flu season has started, and if they didn’t get their flu shot in the fall, they’re certainly not going to find time for it during the busy holiday season. But the truth is, as long as people are still getting sick with the flu, people should still be getting the flu shot. If you haven’t gotten your ...

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Coughing, sore throat and fever, oh my! Your child is definitely sick, but with what? The cold and flu viruses can often be tricky for parents to tell apart because many of the symptoms are the same, but there are several signs that your child has more than just a cold. Here’s what to look for: Fever If your child has the flu, it will often be accompanied by a high fever. A child ...

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A cough can come on for a number of reasons. Whether signaling irritation or chronic bronchitis, a cough can be your body’s way of getting rid of an irritant or infection. What Symptoms Can Accompany a Cough? When you experience a cough, you might also suffer from a number of other symptoms. That’s because a cough usually occurs as part of a larger illness, such as a cold or the flu. For starters ...

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