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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
