Recent Blog Posts

At AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield, our medical director, Dr. Browne, has been appointed by the US Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a Civil Surgeon. This designation allows Dr. Browne to perform immigration physicals, which are required for anyone applying for citizenship, permanent residence, or a green card. Immigration physicals may only be performed by a registered USCIS-designated civil surgeon and are used to determine whether the patient has any immediate health conditions that ...

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When your child returns to school, it can often mean a renewed exposure to germs and possible injuries. AFC Urgent Care has a tried and true list of recommendations to keep your kids healthy, even when they aren't with you. Here is our back-to-school health kit, a complete list of the portable tools and items that can make the school day much healthier, without much effort on your part. This health kit can fit ...

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Nighttime fireworks shows, long stays at summer camp, family vacations and the late sunsets of summertime are some of the many joys your child may have experienced during their summer vacation. But getting to take part in these fun-filled moments over the past few months may also mean your child was allowed to have some later bedtimes than normal. Now that school is back in session, you may be wondering how these late bedtimes over ...

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Vaccinations are one of the biggest public health innovations in history. Because of the myriad vaccines we have available, we have completely or nearly eliminated several devastating diseases, saving countless lives in the process. Diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough and chickenpox can be debilitating, or even fatal. In order to keep your children — and other students— healthy, you must ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date before school starts. AFC Urgent Care is there for you ...

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If your child plays team sports through their school, you are probably looking forward to cheering them on during their season, and planning out your schedule around their practices. But have you planned for their sports physical yet? The pre-participation sports physical is required almost universally in the United States. Sports physicals help prevent risk and assess the health and fitness of children to ensure the activity will be healthy for them. Here’s why ...

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The summer equinox, also known as the longest day of the year, was June 20, and the rest of summer is looking pretty bright. With the sun shining that much, most people will be applying more sunscreen than usual. But here at AFC Urgent Care, we know that you need just as much sunscreen on cloudy days and during the winter as you do now. Sun damage can sneak up on your skin if you ...

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Summertime is the best time for grilling outdoors with family and friends. But while you're grilling and chilling, we at AFC Urgent Care want to make sure you are staying safe, as well. So take some time to remember these tips for your next summer barbecue, and you'll be better prepared to keep you and your family safe around the grill. Grill Away from Your House It may come as no surprise that ...

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Zika virus is a growing concern for people traveling this summer, as it has begun spreading rapidly through new regions in Central America and the United States. Zika virus typically has very mild symptoms, but it can put people at risk of complications such as infant microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. There is currently no cure or vaccine for the Zika virus. AFC Urgent Care wants you and your family to be protected while on vacation ...

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Dehydration tends to sneak up on you, especially during the summer. The hotter weather and higher humidity in the summer can make it hard to stay hydrated, so while your family is enjoying time outside in the summer sun, you need to keep hydration top-of-mind. This summer, AFC Urgent Care wants you to stay safe in the heat by using these tips to stay hydrated. Why Is It Important to Stay Hydrated? Proper hydration makes ...

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Growing up, Dad looked out for your health and safety to make sure you reached adulthood in one piece. Now that Dad is getting older, there are things you can do to return the favor. If you see some healthy changes your dad could make in his life, but you don’t know how to help him do so, read on! AFC Urgent Care can help you navigate the sometimes-tricky conversations about Dad’s health ...

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Growing up, Dad looked out for your health and safety to make sure you reached adulthood in one piece. Now that Dad is getting older, there are things you can do to return the favor. If you see some healthy changes your dad could make in his life, but you don’t know how to help him do so, read on! AFC Urgent Care can help you navigate the sometimes-tricky conversations about Dad’s health ...

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Summer is prime time for beach action, and for good reason! The surf and the sand are so much easier to enjoy when it’s warm enough to play in them. But there are some risks you might not know about lurking in the depths. As we reach the end of Rip Current Awareness Week on June 11, 2016, it's important to remember to practice safe beach behaviors any time you're at the ...

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Plants can brighten up a landscape, but some can be dangerous! This summer, AFC Urgent Care wants you to watch out for these poisonous plants, and to know what to do if you come into contact with them! Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are the big three when it comes to poisonous plants — all have a similar chemical make-up that makes them very unpleasant to meet when you’re out hiking! All three ...

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World No Tobacco Day is May 31, 2016. How will you be celebrating? What would the world be like with no tobacco use? For one day, the World Health Organization (WHO) wants us to try and find out. WHO coordinates the annual World No Tobacco Day with the goal of eliminating tobacco use around the world. This year, the goal of World No Tobacco Day is to encourage countries to legislate the packaging allowances for ...

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Now that spring is in full swing, you and your family will likely be spending more time outside taking part in activities and enjoying the beautiful weather. However, there are some dangers unique to the outdoors that you should be aware of, to keep your family healthy all season. Here at AFC/Doctors Express, we have some tips on how to avoid a seasonal trip to your urgent care center! Wear sunscreen — even when it ...

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Alcohol is one of the most popular addictive drugs on the planet, but it’s one that people still haven’t quite learned how to use safely. Every year, more than 2.6 million Americans are hospitalized due to complications or injuries related to alcohol. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so to help bring attention to this issue and give you the tools to enjoy a drink safely, AFC/Doctors Express compiled a list of ...

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It’s early spring, which means it’s time for all young athletes to get ready to join their teams to compete in the spring, summer or fall. According to a report Sports and Fitness Industry Association, about 21.47 million children in the United States participate in organized sports, which comes to about 75 percent of boys and 69 percent of girls. One essential step in your preparation for your sport of choice should ...

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Medicine is probably one of mankind’s biggest accomplishments. It can be listed up there with farming, electricity and the microchip as one of the advances that fundamentally changed how people lived, mainly because it gave us power over our own bodies that we had never had before. It might seem counterintuitive to think that medications could ever hurt us, but the reality is that medication misuse and adverse reactions cause more than 700,000 ...

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Summer is fast approaching, which means it will be time to get out the bathing suits and short shorts! Who doesn’t begin to feel a little insecure after a long winter of bundling up? But before you start getting ready to bare your “bikini body” on the beach, AFC Urgent Care wants to know: how do you feel about crash diets? For those who have never tried one, a crash diet is when you ...

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Spring has sprung, and telltale sniffles are beginning to fill the air. For some people, this beautiful season is nothing but misery, due to the constant sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and countless other exhausting symptoms. Seasonal allergies affect as many as 50 million Americans, and it’s not just a mild annoyance. As many as 55 percent of workers report calling in sick at work because of allergies. There are many ways to avoid the ...

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