Recent Blog Posts

Food Poisoning: When and Why to Visit AFC Charlotte NC

December 18, 2023

Food poisoning symptoms range from mild to severe. While rest and hydration often help, urgent care is needed for persistent vomiting/diarrhea, severe pain, high fever, dehydration, or if you're in a high-risk group. Ignoring symptoms can lead to complications.

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Why Do I Have Dry Skin?

December 15, 2023

Why Is My Skin Dry and Itchy Right Now? Winter in South Charlotte is a time for cozy nights in and festive outings. Whether you’re a student hustling between classes at Central Piedmont Harper Campus or a shopper running errands at the Carolina Place Mall, no one has time for the distractions of dry, itchy skin. When your skin feels tight, uncomfortable, and irritated, it’s hard to focus on the joys of the ...

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Is Going to Urgent Care Like Going to the Emergency Room?

December 1, 2023

Urgent care centers offer fast, convenient medical care for non-emergency illnesses and injuries. They are open extended hours and provide a cost-effective alternative to the ER. They also bridge the gap between primary and specialty care, streamlining referrals and follow-up treatments.

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How Can I Be Healthier During the Holidays?

November 15, 2023

We all fall victim to the holiday season in one way or another. The delicious food, flowing drinks and cozy times all curled up on the couch together can make it a wonderful time of year, but all of that can also cause a strain on your health. Whether it means your body gets run down and you fall ill at the worst possible moment or you are just feeling sluggish after too much celebration ...

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Can You Get Strep Without Tonsils?

November 14, 2023

Is getting strep without tonsils possible? Yes. Strep throat is caused by bacteria that can live in the nose and mouth, spread through saliva or contact with contaminated surfaces. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red/swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes. Tonsillitis and strep throat are different. Strep throat is caused by bacteria, while tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or a virus. If you think you have tonsillitis or strep throat, visit an urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment.

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Here Are the Facts: Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia?

November 10, 2023

Bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, can sometimes develop into pneumonia if left untreated. This is more likely in individuals with weakened immune systems. Pneumonia is a lung infection with symptoms such as cough, chest pain, chills, and fever. Both conditions require medical attention, but treatments differ depending on the cause and severity.

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What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns

November 7, 2023

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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What Do Chest Retractions Look Like?

November 3, 2023

RSV season is here already, and like most parents and caregivers, we all enter into this time period a little wary and anxious. RSV has the potential to be really dangerous to infants and small children, which can worry any parent. While it is important to remember that not all RSV infections become severe, it is important to know what symptoms to look for that indicate a medical emergency. Our AFC Urgent Care South Charlotte ...

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Should My Kids Get the Flu Shot?

October 24, 2023

Being a parent at this time of year is hard work. In addition to organizing all of the chaos of work, school and activities, you are also juggling sick kids and the process of calling out sick from all of those responsibilities as well. No one wants to get the call from school that their child has a fever or be woken up at night to hear the “I don’t feel good” phrase, but ...

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Urgent Care Experts Offer Alternatives to Phenylephrine

October 7, 2023

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

October 2, 2023

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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Can I Tell the Difference Between Strep Throat and COVID-19?

October 1, 2023

Getting sick at this time of year is common, and it will be even more common as the colder months approach. Spending more time indoors surrounded by people increases your exposure to all kinds of viruses and bacteria. If you start to experience a sore throat, it may be due to an impending infection. COVID-19, strep throat and influenza all have the ability to cause a sore throat, among other frustrating symptoms. Come see us ...

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Are COVID-19 Cases Rising in the Charlotte Area?

September 15, 2023

If you have started hearing about COVID-19 again in the news, it’s because cases are slowly starting to rise around the country. We have slowly started to see an uptick in cases in the Charlotte area as well, so it is time to refresh everyone’s memory about COVID-19 and its symptoms. We don’t want you to panic, but being prepared for the possibility of getting sick again can help you take action ...

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How Long Does It Take for a Fever to Go Away on Its Own?

September 14, 2023

The kids are back in school, fall sports seasons are well underway, and you hopefully have your new family’s routine down and it seems like its smooth sailing. Except wait—the school just called and one of your children has a fever. This time of year is common for kids to get sick when everyone comes back together under one roof again. Fevers are one of the most common symptoms of illness, so don ...

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Sports Physicals: Getting Ready to Go Back to School

September 10, 2023

Back-to-school sports physicals are vital for student athletes. They ensure health and meet requirements. Urgent care clinics offer quick, comprehensive exams with convenience and confidentiality. AFC provides affordable physicals, prioritizing your child's well-being.

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What Is a CBC Test?

August 16, 2023

Feeling sick can make your entire week grind to a halt. It can be hard to run errands, head to work or even relax without feeling uncomfortable. Naturally, you want to get to the root of your symptoms as quickly as possible so you can feel better. That’s where we come in! Our team is dedicated to providing you with the most accurate diagnosis as possible, and we use a combination of our knowledge ...

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Can You Get an STD Without Having Sex?

August 11, 2023

If you have an STD but haven't been sexually active, you may have contracted it through sharing needles, tattoos/piercings, blood transfusions, or other means. Some STDs are asymptomatic but can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. AFC urgent care clinics offer confidential STD testing and treatment.

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Why Is Smoking Bad for Me and My Family?

August 2, 2023

Smoking tobacco directly impacts your health in a negative way. In addition to increasing the risk of serious diseases and complications, this addictive habit can start to affect your physical appearance over time as well. You are introducing thousands of chemicals into your body every time you smoke, and those chemicals actually affect your family members as well. Taking steps to give up this unhealthy habit can help your entire family live a healthier life ...

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Can Undiagnosed STDs Cause Side Effects?

July 17, 2023

Getting sick can always make you a little anxious, because infections and other types of illnesses can sometimes be unpredictable. Whether you are experiencing a common cold or something more, it is always important to keep an eye on your symptoms and treat your condition when you can. This is especially true when it comes to STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases. STDs not only have the ability to make you feel pretty uncomfortable now, but ...

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What Happens if I Don’t Notice a Tick Bite?

July 2, 2023

If you have been out enjoying the beautiful summer weather in the Charlotte area, you are certainly not alone! We are grateful for all of the outdoor adventures and opportunities our community offers during this time of year. What we aren’t grateful for, however, are ticks and tick bites. You are at risk of experiencing a tick bite whenever you are outside, but it is much more common in the summer. Not all ticks ...

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