Recent Blog Posts

So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Gastonia 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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Ear infections are a really common type of infection, especially in small children. They can be standalone infections or be caused by another illness. In any case, they can be downright painful! They can cause a variety of symptoms, and they can be really uncomfortable while your body works to overcome the infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains all about ear infections and the pain they cause below, so read on to learn ...

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We are proud of the way the healthcare industry shifted and changed during the course of the pandemic. All of the adjustments, virtual visits and telemedicine options allowed people the resources they needed in a safer environment. With the pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May, there will be some changes to healthcare practices, including some aspects of telemedicine. We have good news, though! An in-person visit to AFC Urgent Care Gastonia ...

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Life gets so busy that it can be hard to focus on slowing down and going to sleep. Whether the cause is working long hours or the fact that you just can’t stop watching your favorite show, losing hours of sleep is common for many adults across the country. Regardless of whether you are immediately feeling the effects, not getting an appropriate amount of sleep can be harmful for your health over time. Our ...

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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 Gastonia, 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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Experiencing an upper respiratory infection can make you feel pretty miserable. While infections like pneumonia and bronchitis can cause a wide variety of symptoms, one that they both share is the arrival of a deep cough. It can be hard to diagnose yourself at home, so it is important to come see us when you don’t feel well! Both of these illnesses are respiratory conditions, but they may need to be treated differently in ...

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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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