As a parent, it can be difficult to know when your child's illness or injury requires urgent medical attention. Pediatric urgent care clinics are designed to provide immediate medical attention for children with non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that require prompt treatment but are not severe enough to require a trip to the emergency room. These centers are designed to provide accessible care that is much more affordable than pediatrician or primary care physician visits ...
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 ...
Between the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the travel, and the emphasis on cooking during the holiday season, the holidays are a common time for minor burns. Although no one ever intends to injure themselves, it is important to understand your options if a minor burn does occur so that you can get appropriate treatment. Learn about burn symptoms, categories, and where to seek treatment for minor burns. How to Know If a Burn ...
Fall and winter are peak cold and flu season. Although the common cold is a relatively minor illness, it shares many symptoms with the early stages of the flu. This makes it important to understand how they both impact your body so that you can seek treatment early and prevent severe symptoms from manifesting. Cold & Flu Causes Although distinctly different illnesses, the common cold and the flu actually have similar origins: they both stem from ...
Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Short Hills 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 ...
Having a cold can make it difficult to go about your daily life comfortably. With no real treatment options available except for rest and over the counter medications, avoiding a cold this fall is the best way to ensure you’re feeling your best. Find out how to fight off the irritating symptoms of a cold and how to avoid catching one in the first place. What Causes a Cold A cold is a viral ...
Having a cough can be an annoying symptom to manage. Sometimes, a cough can be a tell-tale warning sign to stay away from someone because they’re sick. Other times, coughing is just a reflex. Read on to learn more about the causes of coughs and when to seek medical attention for them. What Causes a Cough? Simply put, a cough is just a reflex. Coughing is triggered subconsciously by your body to clear your ...
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 calendar turns to fall in 2023, many individuals brace themselves for the arrival of seasonal allergies. The autumn months bring unique allergens that can leave allergy sufferers reaching for tissues and antihistamines. In this article, we'll explore fall allergy causes, symptoms, and triggers, shedding light on what to expect from the 2023 fall allergy season. We'll also provide insights into this year's allergy and pollen forecast and offer valuable advice ...
As the seasons transition, many wonder if they are more susceptible to illnesses during these shifts. This article will explore why people get sick when the seasons change. Additionally, we'll provide some valuable tips on staying healthy and preventing illness. Lastly, we'll discuss the healthcare options available at urgent care centers to address seasonal health concerns. Reasons Why People Get Sick During Changing Seasons Seasonal changes, especially the transition from summer to fall ...
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 ...
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health issue that can cause a fair level of discomfort and inconvenience. While prompt treatment with antibiotics is generally effective in relieving symptoms and clearing the infection, it’s not uncommon for some individuals to experience lingering symptoms– even after completing a full course of antibiotics. In this blog, we’ll explore why UTI symptoms may persist after treatment and what steps you can take to address this ...
In the world of preventive healthcare, vaccinations have come a long way in combating various diseases that once posed significant threats to public health. One vaccine that often raises questions is the pneumococcal vaccine. Who needs it? What does it prevent? In this blog, we’ll delve into what a pneumococcal vaccine is, who should consider getting it, and why it’s an important aspect of safeguarding your health! For same-day vaccinations, visit the walk-in ...
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 ...
