Recent Blog Posts

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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Bronchitis Causes & Symptoms

Although it is not as common as the common cold or flu during the early fall months, bronchitis is a health condition to watch out for as the weather changes. Due to the severity of the symptoms, familiarizing yourself with the causes and symptoms of bronchitis is crucial so that you can know when to seek medical treatment. This blog post will explore the multifaceted causes, the spectrum of symptoms, and the populations most at ...

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Does the Flu Cause Vomiting?

The flu, or influenza, is a transmittable respiratory disease well-known for its easily detectable symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, and a nasty cough. However, beyond the common symptoms, many people wonder if the flu can also cause vomiting. This blog discusses the causes and symptoms of the flu, the connection between the flu and nausea/vomiting, and how getting a flu shot and seeking flu treatment at an urgent care facility can help you ...

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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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Difference Between Cold & Allergy Symptoms

It is estimated that over 100 million adults in the United States suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These symptoms are particularly common around September as medical professionals record a sudden increase in cold and feverish cases. September sniffles are gradually becoming more prevalent than ever due to climate change which is causing more extreme seasonal changes. This change tends to favor pollen longevity in the atmosphere ...

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Illnesses to Watch for in the Fall

As fall approaches, certain ailments such as allergies, colds, the flu, sore throats, and ear infections increase in frequency. To stop their spread, it's crucial to be aware of the ailments that thrive in the fall and winter. In this article, we highlight common illnesses to watch out for in September. We also outline a few ways you can protect yourself from these illnesses this fall. Common fall illnesses & their symptoms Due to the ...

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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. Schedule an Appointment The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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How to Identify and Treat an Infected Cut

Statistics show that millions worldwide have infected cuts and wounds each year. An infected wound must be identified and treated immediately to prevent it from escalating. Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Cut Identifying the signs and symptoms associated with an infected cut is essential to receive quick medical care. Infected cuts often exhibit redness, swelling, and warmth. A thick yellow fluid that indicates that the cut is infected, commonly referred to as pus, may ...

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Food Safety Tips for Patients this Summer

As the summer's warmth surrounds them, it is important for individuals to take care of their diet consumption. High temperatures may cause food-borne illnesses such as diarrhea, sore throat, respiratory tract infections, and food poisoning. The illness due to any infection/disease suppresses the patient's immune system. In this case, an individual must choose the diet plan wisely because a proper diet empowers the immune system to fight against illness. This article aims ...

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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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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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Here’s What Happens During a Physical for Sports Exam

Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...

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Is My Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID? AFC Answers

While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Southcenter indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.    Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...

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What Commercial Drivers Need to Know Related to COVID-19 Safety

Schedule Online As supplies keep getting low, truck drivers are working extremely hard to keep items moving despite the extreme difficulties, post COVID-19. Even after a pandemic, they work longer hours to keep pharmacies and grocery stores stocked with essential supplies. Commercial drivers are since then required to make sure that they are taking precautions to safeguard themselves from unwarranted exposures and other problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the rules and ...

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The Top Reasons to Use Urgent Care

Schedule Online Introduction As our healthcare system continues to evolve, patients are searching for new and innovative ways to access medical care. Urgent care is a popular choice because it provides high-quality medical services for non-life-threatening conditions conveniently and cost-effectively. In this article, we'll look at why urgent care may be the best option for your healthcare requirements, giving you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about your medical care. Urgent ...

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How can I Prepare for My Upcoming DOT Physical?

Schedule Online Preparing for a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical is important to ensure that you are able to pass the exam and maintain your commercial driver's license (CDL). If you're a truck driver, you need to have a clear understanding of your upcoming DOT physical which is a medical examination required by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). DOT physical is for commercial drivers who operate vehicles that weigh over 10 ...

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The Importance of Regular STD Testing: Why Urgent Care Centers are a Convenient Option

Schedule Online Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are likely far more prevalent than we realize. Every year, nearly 20 million new cases of STDs are diagnosed. This corresponds to 110 million Americans living with STDs, or more than one-third of the total US population. STDs mainly affect individuals between 15 to 24 years. But according to the American Sexual Health Association, merely 12% of the youth, who comprise 50% of all new STD infections, have recently ...

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What Is Mono and What Are the Symptoms?

So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Southcenter has answers, and treatment, for you.  Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...

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