Recent Blog Posts

The Importance of Normalizing STD Testing Despite advances in medical knowledge and technology, STDs remain pervasive, presenting a complex challenge for healthcare providers and individuals alike. The stigma surrounding STDs often leads to silence and avoidance, further exacerbating the problem. However, breaking this silence and normalizing discussions about STD testing is crucial in combating the spread of these infections and safeguarding individual and community health. Join us as we shed light on the prevalence of ...

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Now that the weather is getting warmer, nature is coming back to life. During the spring and summer months, this can introduce a variety of allergens and hazards that you need to watch out for. In addition to the irritating spring allergy symptoms, springtime tends to bring the risk of insect bites. Ticks, bees, wasps, and even ants all can pose a risk to your health. Luckily, with proper care, insect bites can be treated ...

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Nothing can disrupt your week quite like an illness. Waking up with swollen tonsils is a common early symptom of an illness. In most cases, swollen tonsils point to an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. However, there are other reasons why you may experience swollen tonsils. If you’re suffering from swollen and painful tonsils and wondering whether you’re sick or suffering from allergies, keep reading. If you’re experiencing swollen and ...

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Should You Use Ice or Heat for Gout Relief? Are you wondering if you should use ice or heat for gout relief? Both ice and heat therapies can be utilized for managing pain and inflammation; however, cold therapy is likely the best choice for managing pain and inflammation during a gout flare. Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, can cause excruciating pain and discomfort during flare-ups. This condition, characterized by sudden and severe attacks of ...

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There are few things more stressful than having a kid who is feeling sick. Stomach bugs can be particularly difficult to manage as a parent, and can cause severe illness in children. There are many different reasons why a child may be feeling sick and throwing up. Stomach symptoms can cause severe dehydration which can be dangerous for young children. If your child is feeling sick, AFC Urgent Care Southcenter offers rapid same-day medical care ...

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Is Urgent Care Covered by Insurance Have you been wondering, "Is urgent care covered by insurance?" You've come to the right place.  When an unexpected illness or injury strikes, the need for medical attention can arise suddenly, leaving individuals grappling with where to turn for prompt care. In such instances, urgent care facilities are invaluable resources, offering a middle ground between the high costs of emergency room visits and the long wait times associated ...

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With spring upon us, spring break season is just around the corner. If you plan on traveling this spring or are making plans for your next big trip, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary steps to stay healthy while traveling. There is nothing worse than being sick on your vacation. If you’re feeling sick, AFC Urgent Care Southcenter can help. Our clinic offers same-day illness care for ...

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What Are the Bumps in the Back of My Throat?  Have you been wondering, ‘what are the bumps in the back of my throat?’ You could be dealing with cobblestone throat or tonsillitis.  Schedule an Appointment What Are the Bumps in the Back of My Throat? If you've been feeling discomfort in your throat and have noticed red bumps in the back of the throat, you may be wondering what they are. Many people have experienced ...

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Have you ever experienced the familiar and unpleasant effects of a fever? The cold sweats, fatigue, and chills that often accompany a fever can cause you to feel miserable. In some cases, it may seem unnecessary to visit urgent care if you are experiencing a fever. However, fevers indicate the presence of an infection. In order to ensure that you receive proper treatment for a swift recovery, it is important that you seek urgent care ...

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Injuries can happen when you least expect. This includes in the workplace. If you’ve suffered an injury during the work day, it is important to have access to prompt medical care. It is part of your employer's responsibility to ensure that you have access to the healthcare that you need if you suffer from an injury while at work. AFC Urgent Care Southcenter offers a convenient, fast, and affordable healthcare option for both ...

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Getting the flu can force you to stay at home to self-isolate and recover for days. Identifying your symptoms early and seeking medical care for flu-like symptoms can ensure that you are treating your symptoms correctly and ensuring a fast recovery. Avoid missing valuable workdays by learning how to identify flu-like symptoms before they progress and when you should seek medical care for your symptoms. AFC Urgent Care Southcenter offers same-day illness diagnosis and treatment ...

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If you’re interested in pursuing a commercial driver's license or driving a commercial vehicle for work, it is important to understand the required qualifications and medical examinations required you to obtain a commercial driver's medical exam as well as renew your license every one to two years. Obtaining a DOT physical is a required step to obtaining a commercial driver's license or driving commercial vehicles. AFC Urgent Care Southcenter offers same-day ...

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DOT physicals are a critical part of maintaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). They ensure that you are both mentally and physically fit to drive commercially. For many, having a valid commercial vehicle license is vital to their employment. Visit AFC Urgent Care Southcenter for DOT Physicals available 6 days a week on a walk-in basis. How Long Does A DOT Physical Take? If you require a commercial driver's license for your job ...

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Although the days of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us, many healthcare professionals have warned that COVID-19 is here to stay. With COVID-19 still circulating this cold and flu season, COVID-19 is very much still an illness to be aware of. Although the COVID-19 virus is thought to mutate every year like the flu, the symptoms of COVID-19 seem to continue to mimic other minor illnesses such as the common cold. If you’re feeling ...

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Is There a Difference Between Telemedicine and Telehealth Urgent Care? Telehealth urgent care and telemedicine are terms that are often  used interchangeably but actually have some distinct differences. Telehealth is an umbrella term that refers to the use of technology in a variety of healthcare services, while telemedicine is a specific type of telehealth service that involves remote clinical services between a doctor and a patient. Schedule an Appointment What Is Telehealth Urgent Care? At its core ...

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Food Poisoning: When and Why to Visit AFC Kent WA Food poisoning is an unwelcome and often unpredictable health concern that can strike when we least expect it. Defined as an illness caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages, it can manifest as various symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe gastrointestinal distress. While some cases resolve on their own with rest and hydration, there are instances where seeking prompt medical attention becomes crucial. ${custom_link_1_title ...

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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 ...

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Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Kent WA 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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Staying healthy going into the fall holiday season is essential to ensure that you and your family can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. One important step to ensuring that you stay healthy during cold and flu season is getting your flu shot. Learn about the benefits of the flu shot so that you can stay healthy this flu season. When Should You Get the Flu Shot? The flu shot is a great way ...

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During the winter months, illnesses spread faster than ever due to the increase of indoor activities. Previously thought to be a childhood disease, whooping cough is a contagious infection affecting the respiratory tract. Find out more about whooping cough, its symptoms, and how to stay healthy this fall. Causes & Symptoms of Whooping Cough Whooping cough is a serious respiratory infection that is caused by a bacteria. It is contracted through direct contact with an infected ...

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