As a parent, it can be difficult to know when your child's illness or injury requires urgent medical attention. Pediatric urgent care clinics are designed to provide immediate medical attention for children with non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that require prompt treatment but are not severe enough to require a trip to the emergency room. These centers are designed to provide accessible care that is much more affordable than pediatrician or primary care physician visits ...
As the seasons change and the temperature drops, it's not uncommon to hear warnings about the arrival of cold and flu season. During this time, many people become more wary of their health and take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. However, amidst the heightened awareness, numerous myths and misconceptions about this season have been perpetuated over the years. American Family Care (AFC) debunks these myths and separates fact from fiction, enabling you to ...
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 Toms River NJ 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
As the seasons change, so do the common illnesses that can affect us. It's not uncommon to experience symptoms that could be attributed to a cold, flu, Covid-19, or RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Understanding the differences and seeking prompt care is crucial. At AFC Urgent Care Toms River, located at 2360 Lakewood Road, Toms River, NJ, we're here to help you differentiate and provide expert care. Common Symptoms: Cold, Flu, Covid, and RSV ...
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 ...
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. Save Your Spot The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...
Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen in females can indicate unique problems related to women’s health. Learn more about what can cause pain and when to seek medical attention. Where is the pain coming from? There are many organs on the left side of the abdomen. When experiencing lower left side pain, it could be coming from one of these organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic: Small intestine Colon Appendix Ovaries ...
From 2010 to 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were 9.4 million to 41 million flu illnesses every year. But there is an easy way to protect yourself — the flu shot. Studies show that the severity of the flu is significantly less if you catch the flu but are vaccinated. The CDC says the flu vaccine reduces the risk of seeing a doctor for the flu by 40% to ...
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 ...
As we enter the high temperatures of August, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with dehydration. While dehydration can impose a concern on our overall well-being, intravenous (IV) fluids are an effective remedy to rehydrate our bodies quickly. If you’re experiencing dehydration symptoms, you might be wondering where to go to get dehydration treatment and IV fluids. In this blog, we’ll outline the causes and symptoms of dehydration and ...
As the flu season gradually approaches, it’s important to start thinking about flu vaccination. The flu shot is the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you from influenza. The flu shot is a vital tool in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing the severity of symptoms if you do contract it. However, like many vaccinations, the flu vaccine may come with some side effects. In this blog, we'll ...
Accidents happen. Unfortunately, fractures are a common result of falls, sports injuries, or other events. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a fractured bone, it’s important to know where you can go to receive the appropriate medical care. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of a fracture and outline the different places to visit for care. For same-day injury diagnosis and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic ...
If you’ve ever had a poison ivy rash before, you know the itch can feel endless. Poison ivy is a common poisonous plant that many of us may accidentally expose ourselves to in the summer. A brush with the plant can result in an incredibly itchy rash that leaves us searching for relief. In this blog, we’ll explore the stages of a poison ivy itch and outline ways you can alleviate your symptoms ...
What does hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) look like? The symptoms can look different for kids and adults. See what the symptoms can be and how to treat them. What is Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease? HFMD is a common viral illness caused by the enterovirus, most commonly the coxsackievirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the disease primarily affects children under 5, but anyone, including adults, can contract it. It’s typically a mild illness. The disease ...
Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are a common infection of the sinuses that cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. When a sinus infection develops, you may be wondering if the symptoms will subside on their own or if medical treatment is necessary. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of sinus infections, and outline potential treatment regimens. For same-day sinus infection treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Toms River ...
This summer, it’s important to be aware of the presence of ticks in your area. Ticks are small insects that can transmit various diseases to us. When bitten by a tick, you’ll likely wonder about the symptoms and whether or not it’s normal for the affected area to itch. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why a tick bite may itch and explain when it may be necessary to seek ...
