Recent Blog Posts

So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Chattanooga 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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The spring season has arrived with warmer temperatures, brighter sunshine and…a runny nose. Feeling sick is never fun, but it can be especially frustrating if you don’t know what is causing your symptoms to appear. If you have seasonal allergies, you might just attribute your symptoms to a flareup, but not so fast! You should understand what is causing your symptoms so you can avoid potentially spreading an illness to someone else. Our ...

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The pandemic changed many industries and processes over the last few years. The perseverance and ingenuity of our community allowed us to continue serving our patients even in a world of uncertainty! Now that the pandemic’s emergency status will end in May, certain processes will go back to normal and the healthcare industry will see some changes again. Included in that list of changes will be some aspects of telemedicine. We are happy to ...

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There are many reasons why you might be experiencing ear pain. Allergies, sinus infections, tooth troubles and ear infections are all common reasons why your ear may be aching or ringing. If you suspect an ear infection, it is important that you visit with your care team for a proper diagnosis. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains what an ear infection often feels like, so check out our latest blog below to learn more ...

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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 Chattanooga, 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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If you suspect a bronchitis or pneumonia infection, you may be feeling pretty sick. Any time our lungs are affected by infection, it can make it harder to breathe normally and can cause a nasty cough. While you may feel sick for a while, the majority of cases will go away on their own in a week or two. That being said, it is crucial that you receive a proper diagnosis for your illness! Certain ...

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There is a lot to enjoy about the winter season in Tennessee! The drop in temperatures and winter activities can make it a fun time of year. The arrival of viral infections, however, is not one of the perks of the season. The common cold and the flu are common illnesses at this point in the year, and COVID-19 continues to stick around. If you are feeling sick, our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team can ...

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Influenza is one of the most common contagious illnesses in the world! Because of this, chances are you have at least had it or been exposed to it already this year. Since it is such a common illness, it is important to understand what symptoms are associated with the flu. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, there is still time! Getting vaccinated at any point during the season can offer you protection ...

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When you are sick, you can expect to experience a wide variety of different symptoms. Headaches, congestion and a sore throat are all some of the more common side effects of illness. Fever is also a common symptom. While some fevers can cause even more symptoms, others can be present with no symptoms at all! In both cases, your body is working hard to overcome whatever illness you have. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team ...

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Getting sick is never on anyone’s to-do list, especially around the holiday season. Unfortunately, this time of year is usually when it is more likely that you will get sick. Influenza is all around us, but we have the tools at our disposal to help ward off serious illness. This is where an annual flu shot comes in handy! Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team recommends that everyone eligible should get a flu shot ...

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Pregnancy can be such a wild time in your life. All of the changes, planning and preparing can keep you busy from morning until night! The miracle of life is a wonderful thing, but it also can cause some unpleasant symptoms, including headaches. Headaches can happen at any point and can indicate different things based on which trimester you are in. While many headaches are just an annoyance during pregnancy, there is a small possibility ...

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When we stop to think about some of the greatest human inventions, things like the internet, the telephone and the wheel all probably come to mind! We would also add the development of antibiotics to that star-studded list. The development of antibiotics has reduced our risk of serious complications or death due to a bacterial infection drastically. Coming down with an ear infection or strep throat is no longer usually a threat to your life ...

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When you have vertigo, it is more than just a dizzy spell. Your entire body and head is affected and your world seems to continually spin or shift around you. It can be debilitating and begin to impact your daily life. Even though vertigo can be a diagnosis, it is not a disease. Rather, it is a symptom coming from a variety of conditions. Approximately 40% of Americans end up having a case of vertigo ...

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If you start to notice that your child’s back looks curved or he or she is complaining of chronic back pain, you may start to wonder if a spinal issue is to blame. If your child has scoliosis, the spine has formed into an “S” or “C” shape instead of in a vertical line. Having scoliosis can be genetic or an abnormality that happened during development, and sometimes there is no known cause. If ...

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Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are not usually common conversation starters amongst family or friends, but they are actually more prevalent than you think! They happen to millions of Americans every year, and they can range from mild to severe cases. If you think you may be suffering from an STD, it is important to be evaluated and tested right away to prevent long term issues. Our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team will care for ...

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No one wants to break a bone—that much is true. However, broken bones are among the most common injuries in America, as millions of people suffer from them each year. Read on to learn more about fractures and why they should be treated immediately from our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team. What Is a Fracture? A fracture—or a “broken bone,” as it’s commonly known—occurs when a bone completely or partially breaks ...

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