Recent Blog Posts

Sprains and fractures are common Injuries. However, although they sometimes have similar symptoms, they are vastly different injuries.  Understanding the difference between them is important so that you can understand when you should seek medical care for your injury. Learn about the difference between sprains and fractures and the treatment options for both. Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for same-day injury care without an appointment near Boston, MA. The Differences Between a Sprain and a ...

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When you think about the risks of dehydration, you likely think about ensuring that you stay hydrated when it’s hot outside. However, hydration is critical to consider year-round because your body needs water to function properly. Learn the importance of hydration for your health as well as tips and tricks for staying hydrated in the winter. The Impact of Dehydration on Overall Health Hydration is crucial to your body’s overall health. Not only ...

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Getting Strep Without Tonsils? Is It Possible? AFC Braintree MA 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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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You always want to do what is best to protect yourself and the ones you love. Is using antibacterial soap worth the price tag? Learn more about antibacterial soap and whether you should be picking some up this fall. What is Antibacterial Soap? Antibacterial soap, also known as antimicrobial or antiseptic soap, is soap that includes an active ingredient that targets and kills microorganisms and stops their growth. These soaps target exactly what they say ...

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As the weather begins to cool, the landscapes outside begin to shed their leaves. This time of year is well known for the illnesses that emerge, such as colds and the flu. However, allergies are also at an all time high in the early fall months. Learn about what causes fall allergies and how to manage their symptoms. Do Falling Leaves Cause Allergies? Falling leaves create a beautiful end to the summer months across much ...

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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 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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Every New Year, resolutions lists of new goals and things to do are created to improve upon the year prior. Above all, “eat healthy" is one of the most common health goals we set for ourselves. However, these resolutions often become forgotten as the year goes on. With the change of seasons and start of the school year, September offers a chance to start fresh and give the goal of eating healthy another try. You ...

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A cough is a reflex action that the body uses to clear airways and protect the lungs from harmful substances and infections. However, this is not the only reason for coughing as there are many causes which vary from minor to fatal. Most typical causes of coughing, you don’t have to worry too much. However, you should pay attention if your cough persists because it may be a symptom of something more serious and ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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The 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows about 28.9 million adults had sinus infections. This infection is also known as sinusitis, and many wonder if it is contagious. In this article, you will find answers to your question and many more helpful information. Whether or Not Sinus Infections Are Contagious  Sinus infections themselves are not contagious. They are usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi already present in the body. However ...

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So you've been wondering - can a person really end up with pink eye in both eyes simultaneously? Yeah, having conjunctivitis in both your eyes is totally a thing. Let me explain. We've all had the classic symptoms of pink eye before - one eye is all red and irritated, itchy, teary, etc. And while that sucks, in your mind, you’re probably thinking, "at least it's just that one eye, no biggie." But ...

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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 ...

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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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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 ...

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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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