Recent Blog Posts

If you or your loved one has an earache, it may be a symptom of an ear infection.  An ear infection is less common in adults or grown children. However, anyone can experience it if it’s due to an infection.   While it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you have a persistent earache caused by an infection, there are ways you can use to treat it at home. Keep scrolling to learn ...

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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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While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Cedar Grove indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.    Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...

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Activities that boost health and fitness are necessary for people dealing with or at risk of chronic diseases. According to the American Hospital Association, 133 million Americans are suffering from some chronic disease. It’s an alarming number putting a question on our current lifestyle. Therefore, knowing the top wellness and activities for spring in 2023 ensures you live a healthy lifestyle and reduce the chance of chronic diseases and other illnesses. Here’s how ...

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Let's admit children are hyperactive and are often susceptible to accidents and injuries. A medical emergency can happen anywhere in parks, homes, or even on the street your kid is walking. Therefore, knowing first aid basics to deal with any emergency, whether with a child or an adult, is crucial. First aid is one of the families' most valuable and significant skills in protecting people around them. First aid skills can help families prevent ...

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Although Sinus infections are more common than most infections, they sometimes take time to heal on their own. While most sinus infections will disappear independently, many can take longer to leave your human system, leaving its impact for many weeks to come. Depending on the cause and symptoms of a sinus infection, it is decided by a doctor how to treat that patient. To understand when antibiotics are necessary and when not, let's dive ...

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It is natural to believe that as winter draws close, so does the flu season. But this is not the case. Despite this, the reality is that there is still a risk of contracting the flu long into late winter and even until the beginning of spring. Even as late as May, medical professionals warn that flu activity might still be widespread. So is it possible to get the flu this late in the winter ...

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So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Cedar Grove has answers, and treatment, for you.  Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...

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The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually.  This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...

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Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...

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A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery.  If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...

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Local urgent care centers in Cedar Grove, 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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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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DOT Physical is short for the Department of Transportation Physical. It is like any other physical exam except that it’s tailored to ensure the safety of drivers and the general public. It tests the mental, emotional and physical health of anyone who drives or intends to take up commercial motor vehicle driving as an occupation. The DOT exam is conducted in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines. Its results are ...

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This fall season, there are high chances of flu infection cases rising along with the covid cases. Amidst the pandemic and dangers of influenza (flu) infections, colleges and schools are reopening this fall. Students will be returning to their normal routines. However, there will be a relative change in the environment and practices. By adopting preventative measures and formulating precautionary strategies, colleges are working to keep their faculty, staff, and students safe. Here’s the ...

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Spring is the time of the year when allergies are more likely to become common and intense. This is because pollen and seasonal-allergy triggers spread out even more during this time of the year, filling the air outside and inside the home. Hence, people begin to sneeze and sniffle from irritation of the nasal cavities and passage. Find out more about how spring affects allergies in this post as well as what you can do ...

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