Recent Blog Posts

Is getting strep without tonsils possible? Yes. Strep throat is caused by bacteria that can live in the nose and mouth, spread through saliva or contact with contaminated surfaces. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red/swollen tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes. Tonsillitis and strep throat are different. Strep throat is caused by bacteria, while tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or a virus. If you think you have tonsillitis or strep throat, visit an urgent care center for diagnosis and treatment.

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Why Is My Skin So Dry in the Winter? Whether you’re finding deals at Hamilton Place Mall, staying at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, or exploring the seasonal festivities at Rock City, there’s nothing like Chattanooga in the wintertime. But when your skin feels rough or you’re distracted by itchy skin, it’s hard to embrace this time of year. Don’t let dry skin keep you from enjoying the cold weather. Start following ...

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Bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, can sometimes develop into pneumonia if left untreated. This is more likely in individuals with weakened immune systems. Pneumonia is a lung infection with symptoms such as cough, chest pain, chills, and fever. Both conditions require medical attention, but treatments differ depending on the cause and severity.

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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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Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is an upper respiratory infection that can affect your child’s ability to breathe normally. Most otherwise healthy adults will experience mild symptoms from RSV, but it can be especially dangerous for kids. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team understands how serious RSV can be, so we want to arm you with the knowledge you need to help your entire family stay safe and healthy. Read on to learn more ...

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It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the upcoming flu season, doesn’t it? This year flew by, and we are gearing up for another fall and winter season of the flu, COVID-19, strep throat and RSV. Getting sick at this time of year is really frustrating, and sometimes it is just not preventable. However, taking steps like getting your annual flu shot can go a long ways toward keeping you healthy! Come ...

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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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Colds, the flu, COVID-19 and strep throat are all common illnesses in the fall and winter months. Since we spend so much time indoors in close proximity to each other at this time of year, these illnesses can spread quickly. Even if you get enough sleep, eat well and take care of yourself, there is always the chance that you will get sick at some point. And many of these illnesses share similar symptoms, so ...

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We have dealt with all kinds of illnesses and conditions over the years, and chances are that you have, too. Getting sick from time to time is just a part of life. While you might think that you don’t need to be worried about COVID-19 anymore if you have already had it, you would be wrong. COVID-19 is still circulating in our community and the different variants can still make you sick, even if ...

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