Recent Blog Posts

Do Kids Need an Annual Flu Shot?

Raise your hand if one or more of your children has already been sick since the start of the school year! This time of year is one of the most common times for children to come down with any sort of infection, and we would bet at least one illness has made its way through your household. While a minor cold may not be much of a concern, a flu outbreak in your house could ...

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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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Do All COVID-19 Infections Cause Sore Throats?

Getting sick can happen at any point, which can be really frustrating if you have a big event coming up or a particularly busy week to get through. It can be easy to just pop in a throat lozenge when you have a sore throat, but that may not fix it for good. Temporary relief of a sore throat may help at the moment, but getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for your illness ...

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How Can I Avoid COVID-19 This Year?

We all want to avoid sickness and stay as healthy as possible during the fall and winter months. With all of the circulating viruses and bacterial infections that are around, it can sometimes be hard to do! Now that COVID-19 is part of the mix again, it is important to remember that you can get sick with COVID-19 this year even if you had already had it in previous years. Taking preventive steps is crucial ...

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How Long Does a Fever Normally Last?

School is back in session, and that means your organized chaos of work, school and activities has returned once more. That also means that the arrival of seasonal illnesses is here! It is common at this time of year to have at least one illness sweep through your home, whether it is a virus, stomach bug or some type of infection. One of the most common symptoms across these illnesses is a fever. Come see ...

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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. Pre-Register The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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What Is a Complete Blood Count Test?

We never want you to get sick, but it is unfortunately just a part of life sometimes. Some illnesses can be simple and easy to diagnose from a quick physical exam, but others can be a bit more tricky to diagnose. That’s where a visit to our center comes in handy! If you are feeling sick but don’t know why, you can come see us and we can use a variety of diagnostic ...

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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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What Happens if I Don’t Stop Smoking?

Addictive habits can be really hard to break. That’s why many people struggle with giving up things like cigarettes or smoking in general. Not only is the craving for the tobacco real, but it has become a part of your lifestyle and daily routine for many years. While we understand how hard it is to quit, we will always encourage anyone who smokes to do so. Smoking has so many negative health benefits that ...

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When Is Getting an STD Test Necessary?

Your health is your greatest asset, so taking care of yourself should always be your top priority. While it may seem obvious to treat your symptoms when you get a cold or the flu, not everyone takes quick action if an STD is suspected. We know that discussing your sexual health may not feel comfortable in the moment, but it is crucial for your long-term health! Getting tested right away can ensure a full recovery ...

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Is Being Bitten By a Tick Dangerous?

We are grateful for the many different benefits of the summer season, but not for the increase in bugs and insects. Any time you spend time outside running around in the grass or in the woods on a hike, it is important that you check yourself for ticks afterward. Ticks are at their peak from spring to early fall, so recognizing them and removing them from your clothes should always be your first priority after ...

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Can I Go to AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road for a Fracture?

Broken bones can happen in the blink of an eye. One minute you are busy cooking dinner in your kitchen, and the next, you are sprawled out on the floor because you didn’t see your dog laying down behind you and your wrist is searing in pain. Sometimes injuries are mild and can heal on their own, but broken bones should always be diagnosed and treated properly to make sure they heal the right ...

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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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How Can I Support My Brain As I Get Older?

Being an adult means you wear many different hats on a typical day. You are a parent, but also a working professional, a chef, a chauffeur and the bedtime enforcer. After a long day, it can be hard to find the motivation to work on your own health. There are some small things you can do now to support your body and brain in a way that will have a big impact later in life ...

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Do Kids Sunburn More Easily Than Adults?

School will be out soon, and that means much more time spent outdoors with your kids! We are sure you are looking forward to all of the fun activities and memories that your family will make, but do your best to respect the sun. Don’t let a significant sunburn put a damper on your summer plans! Children tend to burn more easily than adults do because their skin is thinner and more sensitive. Our ...

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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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What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial disease that affects your intestinal tract. If you come into contact with this infection, you can expect to experience symptoms within eight to 72 hours after exposure. The symptoms associated with salmonella often are similar to common stomach bugs, so it can initially be hard to tell the difference. Our AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road team explains all about salmonella below, so read on. What Causes Salmonella? This infection affects your ...

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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 SW Charlotte 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 Can AFC Do for Seasonal Allergies?

The spring is a great time of year for many reasons, but not for seasonal allergies. Symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary in severity from year to year, so if you are having a more severe reaction right now, know you are not alone! The increase in pollen in the air can be troubling for many people. In fact, more than 80 million Americans experience seasonal allergy symptoms every year. If you are looking for ...

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Recent Blogs

Does My Child’s Cut Need Medical Care?

From afternoons at neighborhood parks to backyard games and playground adventures around Southwest Charlotte, kids rarely slow down for long. And with ...

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Are My Symptoms Just Allergies or Something More?

Spring in Southwest Charlotte means longer days, blooming trees, and a fine layer of pollen covering cars, sidewalks, and just about everything ...

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How Long Are You Contagious with the Flu?

The flu rarely arrives at a convenient time. One day you’re keeping up with work, running errands, or managing a packed ...

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