Recent Blog Posts

Can You Get Strep Without Tonsils?

Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Raleigh NC 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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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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Professional vs. Home COVID Tests: A Brief Comparison

Are you considering getting a COVID-19 test? With the pandemic still ongoing, it is crucial to know your status so that you can protect yourself and those around you. However, with the option of both professional and home COVID-19 tests available, which one should you choose? Both have their advantages, but if you want to determine which is right for you, it’s important to fully compare professional and at-home COVID-19 tests. Test Accuracy When ...

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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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Why You Shouldn't Eat Before Your Annual Physical

When you’re preparing for your annual physical, you must follow specific guidelines to ensure a successful examination. One of the most important aspects of this preparation is abstaining from eating before the physical. While it may seem inconvenient, there are many reasons why medical professionals recommend not eating before your annual physical. Accurate Examination If you want an accurate examination, abstaining from food is normally routine because it allows your body to be in ...

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Why Most States Require Physicals for Sports

Anyone can go play sports with their friends at the park, but you can only compete after you’ve obtained a physical if you’re part of an organized sport at your school. Now, you may be wondering, why most states require physicals for sports. Although it can seem like an annoying obstacle, in actuality, it is one of the best ways to ensure athletes can compete safely. Athlete Safety The biggest and most obvious ...

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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. Reserve Your Spot The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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A Brief Guide to the Different Types of Primary Care Doctors

The world is full of doctors, but not every doctor is the same. Even in the world of primary care doctors, there are different types, and if you want to get your family the help and care they need, finding the right doctor is important. Some doctors specialize in different parts of the body, which is partly why getting the right primary care doctors to help you maintain your and your family’s health is ...

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Pain in the Lower Left Side of the Abdomen for Females: What Is it?

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 ...

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A Brief Guide to A1C: Everything You Need To Know

If you’re prediabetic or have diabetes, then you’re likely familiar with the A1C test. This common test allows medical professionals to diagnose these two conditions, and it can help people with these conditions manage their diabetes. Learn everything you need to know about A1C, what it measures, and how it can help you. What Does the Test Involve? The first thing you need to know about the A1C test is what it measures ...

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Can the Flu Shot Make You Sick? Why the Stick Can Make You Feel Ick

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 ...

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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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The Importance of Regular STD Screening for Early Detection

Public awareness around sexually transmitted diseases and infections has grown significantly in the last few decades, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows the best treatment. Early detection is critical, and looking for warning signs and taking screenings can reduce the consequences of STDs and STIs. Regular STD screenings are important for early detection because medical professionals can spot the disease or infection before it worsens. Identify Infections Early The biggest reason that regular STD ...

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What To Expect During an Immigration Physical Exam

Immigration is an incredibly long and complicated process with many hurdles to jump. Even something like a physical exam can be tricky to navigate if you’re unsure of everything involved. However, when you know what to expect during an immigration physical exam, you can get everything together and get through the process quickly and easily! Collect Your Paperwork Like many other parts of the immigration process, to complete your physical exam, it’s crucial ...

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Why Rapid COVID Testing Is Vital for Safe Travel

While the world isn’t in the same place it was in 2020, COVID is still present, and protecting yourself from it is still incredibly important. Even with vaccines and treatments, every person is different and will handle the virus differently, some better than others. And if you think you’ve caught it, you can still help others around you avoid it. Travel has changed a lot because of the pandemic, but safe travel is ...

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Hand Foot and Mouth Disease: What It Looks Like for Adults & Kids

What does hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) look like? The symptoms can look different for kids and adults. See what the symptoms can be and how to treat them. What is Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease? HFMD is a common viral illness caused by the enterovirus, most commonly the coxsackievirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the disease primarily affects children under 5, but anyone, including adults, can contract it. It’s typically a mild illness. The disease ...

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Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: Understanding the Differences

Getting medical checkups can ensure your health is stable without underlying issues. However, the clinic you go to depends on the medical services you need. So, here are the differences between urgent care and primary care. What Is Primary Care? Primary care includes pediatricians, medicine doctors, and internists specializing in disease prevention, health promotion, patient education, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and counseling. Patients should visit primary care facilities for routine doctor appointments, such as physical ...

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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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