Recent Blog Posts

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually.  This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...

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Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...

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A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery.  If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...

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Local urgent care centers in Southcenter, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room.  Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...

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What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers.    What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...

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Schedule Online Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals are crucial for drivers who wish to continue their trucking or commercial driver career. The main purpose of this physical exam is to promote safety behind the wheel and on the road. See what you need to do when you have a DOT physical coming up. Prepare your medical information Before you enter for your exam, ensure that all your medical information is available and up to date ...

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Schedule Online You must meet certain requirements to drive buses for students. Your DOT physicals must be updated regularly and your vehicle should be in good shape to ensure safe driving. To renew your DOT physicals, you must: Be able to Hear normal conversational sounds Not have any mental, heart, and brain issues. Not have any physical deformities Be able to drive at any time. As a school bus driver, you must apply for a ...

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Schedule Online Many people have become complacent in practicing the CDC safety guidelines that are intended to keep the public safe by slowing the spread of the virus. Now it is more important than ever to practice COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect yourself and your family. Millions of people across the globe travel every year during peak holiday and vacation season, as well as for work. Many people are questioning their travel plans and wondering ...

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