Fall is known to be a time when illnesses start to spread more rapidly. This can be partially attributed to cooler weather, but mainly attributed to people spending more time indoors and in close proximity to one another. 2020 has already been a challenging year for the medical community, but the cold and flu season is just beginning. Knowing how to manage and identify seasonal illnesses in 2020 is vital to protecting your own health ...
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has such an infection. Sexually transmitted diseases are not discriminating – anyone can get them. Americans have the highest rate of STDs in the industrialized world. Regular testing for STDs is a good idea, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. One in three Americans contracts an STD by the age of 24. We encourage you to practice safe ...
You’re outside having a great time in the sun when suddenly you notice both your arms and legs are sun burnt red. You said, “I don’t need sunscreen I never burn,” but now you are paying for it. The importance of sunscreen goes far beyond preventing your skin from burning. Overtime, an individual who uses sunscreen versus one who doesn’t will begin to show differences in the look and feel of skin ...
Influenza (the Flu) is a serious illness affecting millions of Americans, of which about 250,000 are hospitalized each year. Of those, about 36,000 people, mostly over age 65, die each year from complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and above get a flu shot. The vaccine is typically covered by your insurance plan (contact your provider for details). AFC Urgent Care can help even if you ...
Is it just the “common cold?” When should you self-treat and when should you be seen by a doctor at your nearest AFC Urgent Care? The common cold can be the result of more than 100 different types of viruses! By and large, the symptoms are self-limited and can include any of the following: – Runny or stuffy nose – Sore or scratchy throat – Body aches – Mild fatigue – Mild anorexia – Sneezing – Watery eyes – Cough There are some ...
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It can be caused by a bacteria, a virus or a fungus. It most often presents with cough and fever. This is a disease that is usually diagnosed by a provider who listens to a patient’s lungs and then orders a chest x-ray. If diagnosed early in its course, pneumonia can be treated with oral medications. If allowed to progress without treatment it can be life threatening ...
Inflammation of the throat can be a vexing problem for people. Should I skip work or school to get checked out? Is this serious enough to interrupt my life? How long should I wait for an apt.? How serious is it if I don’t get treated? Sore throats can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, allergies, esophageal reflux or a few other less common things. Symptomatic treatment exists for most causes of sore throat ...
Is that a tick bite on your arm? A mosquito bite? Is that Poison Ivy on your leg or maybe a fungus? At AFC Urgent Care Waltham/Burlington we can help you figure it out. Is the itching driving you crazy? We have pills and creams that can help. Do you wonder whether you have oral or genital Herpes? There are now medications that can decrease communicability and limit the duration of your discomfort. Shingles ...
30-year veteran Emergency Medicine provider Dr. Tom Goldberger explains “Why Urgent Care” “I practiced medicine in hospital Emergency Departments for 30 years. I loved it. It was exciting, dramatic and I felt privileged to be able to make a difference. Two years ago, intent on finding a less stressful occupation, I gave up Emergency Medicine and have specialized in Urgent Care since that time. Urgent Care Medicine is less stressful but I found something even ...
‘Tis the season . . . don’t worry: we know that the holidays have passed, but flu season is still in full swing! In fact, it is reported that during in the 2017-2018 season flu activity has been greater than in prior years. That’s why it’s critical for people to be on the lookout for flu signs and symptoms. Obviously, our goal at American Family Care is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid the ...
