Recent Blog Posts

" Winter marks the time of the year with the worst weather and highest prevalence of viruses and infections. Most common during the winter are sicknesses such as influenza, the common cold, norovirus and strep throat. Unlike the other three aforementioned illnesses, all of which are viral infections, strep throat is a bacterial infection. Strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, which spreads between person-to-person via saliva. While children are the most susceptible to contracting ...

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" One reason why many of us embark on tropical vacation getaways during the dead of winter is to escape the hazards and perils of the year’s most frigid season. Unfortunately, the Zika virus, which has recently spread as far north as the Caribbean, may make our winter travels a bit perilous this year. The Zika virus is transmitted predominantly via mosquitoes, which are initially infected after biting infected people. While only one-in-five people will ...

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" The United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world. As different as we may seem, our health issues can be very similar. Health care trends tend to be pretty consistent across large swaths of the population, so it’s important to pay attention when one becomes widespread. Your local AFC/Doctors Express can advise you on which conditions should concern you and how to take action to prevent them. The No ...

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" Dehydration is easily recognizable during the summer. It often accompanies over-exhaustion and overheating, which are frequently triggered by the hot summer temperatures. Dehydration isn’t just a summer affliction, however. Each winter, people die as a result of dehydration – often because they failed to recognize the symptoms. The dry winter air rapidly dehydrates us while our bodies tirelessly work to keep ourselves warm. This means if we’re outside shoveling snow, our bodies are working ...

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" Here is the second part of our series on flu season! We hope you took our advice from last week and got your flu shot! We’re going to get a bit more into the nitty-gritty about how the flu spreads and what makes the flu vaccine work. So hang on, we’re diving right in!   The influenza virus is a respiratory virus, and it spreads primarily through contact with respiratory droplets. However, these droplets ...

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" We caught a lucky break last weekend by avoiding Winter Storm Jonas, which led to a travel ban in both New York City and Baltimore. Other mid-Atlantic cities, such as Philadelphia and Washington D.C. were also ravaged by snow, suffering up to two feet of snow in certain areas. As of January 26th, 46 people have died as a result of the snowstorm, due to causes ranging from slipping on ice to roofs collapsing ...

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" The influenza virus is a seasonal epidemic that typically hits the United States around October and can last until May. Even though this is a yearly occurrence, there are still some misconceptions about the flu and what people should do to protect themselves. To keep our readers informed, we are doing a two-part series on important facts people should know about the flu. Part two will be released next week. The flu is not just ...

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" This holiday season, give the gift of good health! Instead of spending a fortune on the latest fad, invest in your health and the health of your loved ones. Trends come and go, but good health will always be in style. Whether you’re shopping for a budding health nut or a fitness fanatic, this guide will help you find the perfect healthy gift for all the special people in your life. Reusable water bottle ...

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" The weather outside is getting frightful, which must mean we’ve entered the winter season. For people with all skin types, it can be a lot more challenging to keep skin healthy and moisturized in the cold, unforgiving air outside and the dry, punishing heat inside. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense when it comes to preventing illness, so keeping it healthy can directly influence how you feel all winter long ...

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" It’s the most wonderful time of the year — that is unless your Christmas tree causes you to have an allergic reaction. More than one third of American households will put up a Christmas tree during the holiday season, and if you find yourself sneezing with a runny nose and itchy eyes once the tree is up, you might have a case of “Christmas tree syndrome”  — an allergic reaction to your tree, real or artificial ...

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" This year, about 50 percent of people in the United States will attend at least one holiday party. For about half of us, our employer will host a party for us. About 20 percent of us will even host our own. With those numbers, it’s easy to see a lot of potential pitfalls ahead. So don’t let yourself get caught off-guard, read this guide to see how AFC/Doctors Express can keep you ...

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" Turkey, pumpkin pie, loved ones and gratitude are hallmarks of the season. We sit around the table, poised to dive into tempting treats, and talk about our comfortable homes or new jobs or time spent with family. We are thankful. Being thankful means pausing to think about what is important in our lives, as well as why these things are important in our lives. As the words “I’m thankful for my health” cross your ...

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" If ever there were a time during the year that all workers dread, it has to be flu season. Sniffling coworkers, wheezing kids and running out of tissues or hand sanitizer can make the months of flu season extremely stressful, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who remains healthy. Every year, American businesses lose billions of dollars in sick days and lost productivity. Experts estimate the economy will lose about about $20 ...

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" Deductibles, premiums, copayments, and coinsurance are important to know when you sign up for health insurance. Having health insurance can lower your costs even when you have met your deductible. The following terms are some definitions to keep in mind. It is best for you to directly discuss with your health insurance provider about these items. Most healthcare providers do not have this information. Premium: The amount the policy-holder or their sponsor (e.g. an ...

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"   Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. One out of every 11 Americans has diabetes, and 86 million more are pre-diabetic. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the United States spends about $245 million every year on health care for people with diabetes, and recent projections have determined that as many as one in every three adults will have diabetes by 2050 if nothing changes. Type 2 ...

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" The crisp air, the crunchy leaves, and the sniffles in our offices and classrooms give it away; it’s officially the beginning of fall. While the season may be beautiful, the flu that always seems to come with it is certainly not. To protect yourself this flu season, you need to know exactly how the flu operates, so you can separate myth from fact. Here are some of the most common myths about the flu ...

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" Break out the lunch boxes and the three-ring binders, back-to-school season is upon us again! Amid the mad dash for backpacks, pencil cases and the rapidly approaching school bus, it’s easy to forget about the health concerns of going back to school. Back-to-school time is also prime time for germs and bugs; an enormous number of children spend most of the day in close contact and touch a lot of shared surfaces (e.g ...

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" Everyone’s heard it before. “We were stuck in the ER for hours.” It makes sense; your primary care physician might be booked till next Tuesday, but sudden illnesses and injuries can’t wait that long. So you shuttle your sick or injured loved one to an emergency room and wait. And wait. And … well, you get the picture. Here are some reasons why it might be a better idea to take a quick trip ...

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" If you have recently come into contact with a poison ivy plant and are starting to develop an irritating and uncomfortable rash, here are a few things you can do to prevent the rash from spreading and treat the discomfort. Immediately rinse your skin with warm, soapy water Wash your clothing and everything that may have come into contact with the plant Do not scratch, this can lead to infection Consider using a calamine lotion ...

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" While some people are still shoveling snow, many Americans are facing yet another blow from the weather just in time for spring – a sudden explosion of pollen for what’s expected to be a particularly nasty allergy season. March has yet to go out like a lamb, and we at AFC Urgent Care can already tell that this month’s wacky weather is wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers, as our centers are already seeing patients ...

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