Recent Blog Posts

Local urgent care centers in Worcester, 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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We’re currently seeing many patients coming in with sore throats worried that they may have COVID-19. There are other winter illnesses to worry about as well, such as strep throat, flu and colds. If you’re experiencing a sore throat, it can be any one of them.  But, how do I know if I have strep throat or something worse? There are differences between each illness. We understand that there can be some onusing ...

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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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Thyroid disease is a common endocrine disorder, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue and weight gain to depression and anxiety. In some cases, it could potentially lead to more severe health issues.  AFC Urgent Care Worcester is here to educate you about the warning signs of thyroid disease so you can prevent it. Not only will this guide help you understand the causes, the symptoms, and the testing options available for ...

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the respiratory system during winter. It can cause serious infections in young children and those who have weak immune systems. With the recent outbreak of RSV cases and children’s hospitals filling up with cases, we’re sure you are worried about your children and loved ones.  The peak season for RSV is from November to March. But, any time someone is around a sick ...

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Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects more than 30 million people in the United States. It has multiple types, and there are risk factors you should be aware about. It is extra important to be educated this American Diabetes Awareness Month by staying educated about the disease and what you can do if you or a family member are borderline diabetic--and yes, you can be prediabetic and not even know it! AFC Urgent ...

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COVID Booster shots and flu vaccines? What’s next? Monkeypox!  The recent outbreak has raised concern for many of us in the Worcester and surrounding MA areas. This trifecta of viruses can potentially threaten your winter holiday plans!  Lucky for you, AFC Urgent Care Worcester now offers the quadrivalent flu shot and COVID-19 testing to help you have peace of mind when visiting your families and friends this winter holiday season. Here’s what you ...

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BUZZ BUZZ! We hear them buzzing! There are a number of kids and parents coming in with painful and sore welts from stings this time of year, which is known as “Angry Bee Season”. The bees and wasps don't seem to care that it's the new school year!  Around this time of the year, stinging bees and wasps become very aggressive because they are preparing their queen for the winter, and are more ...

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Getting your child a physical before the school year begins is going to help them prepare for the unexpected colds, flu, injuries, and help diagnose any underlying issues that may be lying in wait. At the same time, it’s also a good way to build your child’s medical file so that incase of the unexpected, a doctor can treat them right away. Whether your child plans on joining a fall sport or needs ...

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It’s UV Safety Awareness month, and you know what that means? It’s time to learn about the dangers of UV rays and how to avoid them this summer. Why? Because UV rays can cause a number of problems for your skin, including sunburn, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke. All of these problems can be avoided by taking proper precautions such as, wearing sunscreen and practicing other “sun” safe methods so that you can enjoy ...

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Men’s Health Month was created for a reason. Unlike women, who do actually go to the doctor regularly, men have a tendency to avoid their annual checkups, or avoid being seen by a doctor when they have an injury. This is a big mistake because thie habit of skipping a doctor’s appointment can lead to potential health threats as men get older. Understanding men’s health issues and health risks are really important ...

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Ticks and Lyme disease is not something to obsess over, but it’s definitely something you should keep in mind this spring and summer, especially if you live in Massachusetts. Deer ticks especially, are tiny and can be very sneaky, latching onto you without you knowing.  Lyme Disease is the most common tick borne illness in the United States and it is usually transmitted by the deer tick, commonly found in the New England area ...

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What are the odds that you will contract an STD or STI in your lifetime? The odds are, if you’re sexually active you’re chances of getting one are high if you don’t take the right precautions. It’s normal to be scared of catching an STD, but, learning more about it during STD Awareness Month will help reduce the odds of getting one. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an infectious illness ...

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“I keep sneezing and wheezing, is it COVID-19 or spring allergies?” Spring allergy season started early this year. At the same time we’re still seeing cases of COVID-19 in the Worcester, MA area. Although cases have waned in the last few weeks from the “winter wave” of COVID-19, it is still very much a threat and some symptoms of COVID-19 overlap with symptoms of allergies. But, where’s the relief? Let’s take a ...

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“We’re seeing more patients than ever at our urgent-care centers who are reporting sore throats,” says Dr. Vincent Meoli, AFC Regional Medical Director in a recent interview.  We’re currently seeing many patients coming in with sore throats worried that they may have COVID-19. There are other winter illnesses to worry about as well (sorry!), such as strep throat, flu and colds. If you’re experiencing a sore throat, it can be any one ...

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  Has anyone ever told you not to get a certain type of COVID-19 test over another? If yes, you’re probably wondering why the type of COVID-19 test matters. To you, a COVID-19 test might mean one universal thing, but there are actually differences in the testing methods and the testing accuracy. By now we’ve all heard of a rapid COVID-19 test. The fact is that there are different kinds of rapid tests and ...

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Did everyone have a safe and COVID-19 free Thanksgiving this year? We hope so because December is filled with holidays and gatherings. We’re already in the thick of Hanukkah.  Should you visit relatives or should you host a gathering this year? What about traveling for Christmas, Kwanzaa, or the New Year? These are questions many of us have because we still want to take precautions for our loved ones who are NOT vaccinated for ...

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  Did you know that there are different types of diabetes and that you might be predisposed to one of them? You read that right. You or a loved one might be at risk for diabetes if you have a family history of it. Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects more than 30 million people in the United States. It has multiple types, and there are risk factors you should be aware about. It ...

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COVID-19 is still around and we’re now approaching flu season. “Do I need to get a flu shot?” or “Do I have to get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccinated?” are common questions people have since both viruses can knock you off your feet. Some of you may be now eligible for your booster shot for COVID-19. Others might be getting their COVID-19 vaccine for the first time. The point is, you want to ...

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COVID-19 is still around and we’re now approaching flu season. “Do I need to get a flu shot?” or “Do I have to get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccinated?” are common questions people have since both viruses can knock you off your feet. Some of you may be now eligible for your booster shot for COVID-19. Others might be getting their COVID-19 vaccine for the first time. The point is, you want to ...

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