Recent Blog Posts

Are Migraines and Sinus Headaches the Same Thing?

Oftentimes, migraines can be mistaken as sinus headaches. While both types of headaches are painful, one is a sign of an infection while the other isn’t. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides helpful information on both types of headaches below, so keep reading! What Are Sinus Headaches? Sinus headaches are a common symptom of sinusitis, or a sinus infection. When a sinus infection occurs, the sinuses become clogged with fluid, which cause pressure ...

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How Can I Tell Between the Flu and COVID-19?

The flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses, but they’re two totally different viruses. Even though they’re different, how are you supposed to know which one you’re sick with once you start to show symptoms? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some helpful answers. How Are the Flu and COVID-19 Different? Although both are respiratory illnesses, they’re caused by two different viruses. The flu is caused ...

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What Do I Need to Know About Ringworm?

Thankfully, ringworm isn’t quite as scary as it sounds. This skin fungus doesn’t actually have anything to do with worms at all, and it’s highly treatable. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides more information on ringworm below, so keep reading! What Is Ringworm? Ringworm is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It’s usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of ...

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How to Make an Upset Stomach Feel Better

Everyone has experienced an upset stomach before, but that doesn’t make it any more pleasant to experience when it does happen! Although an upset stomach and nausea are not fun, they aren’t usually causes for concern, and it is often possible to treat the symptoms using home remedies. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team walks you through how you can care for your upset stomach at home, so keep reading! Here’s what ...

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How Can I Prevent Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are relatively common. In fact, nearly 75% of women will have at least one in their lifetimes. While yeast infections are most common among females, they can affect males, too. And, they don’t affect only the vagina, they can occur on the penis and other areas of the body, like in the mouth and throat. To learn more about this common type of infection from our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team, read ...

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How Common Is Bronchitis?

Did you know? More than 3 million bronchitis cases occur every year in the United States. The good news is that bronchitis rates have been declining each year, but those who are over the age of 65 or under the age of 2 are still likely to get this infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides more information about bronchitis below, so keep reading! What Is Bronchitis? Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining ...

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What Should I Know About STDs?

STD cases are steadily increasing. According to the CDC, reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have increased for the sixth consecutive year—reaching a new all-time high. STDs carry a lot of stigma, but the fact of the matter is that these infections remain common, costly and challenge the health and wellness of millions of people across the United States. Learn more important info about STDs from our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team below ...

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What You Need to Know About Boils

Boils are rough to experience. They’re painful and itchy, and they look eerily similar to spider bites. Many people think of a boil as a large pimple that is “boiling over,” which certainly can help you identify one. If you have a boil that has developed on your skin, read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some information that you need to know! What boils are: A boil, also called ...

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How Can I Recover From a Pulled Muscle?

" It’s no secret that pulling a muscle hurts. Plus, the time it takes to make a full recovery from a pulled muscle isn’t short; however, there are things you can do to potentially speed up the recovery time to get back on your feet sooner than later! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team further explains this below. What Happens When I Pull a Muscle? A pulled muscle, or muscle strain, occurs when a ...

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How Do I Treat an Animal Bite That Breaks the Skin?

Animal bites are both painful and scary. Some aren’t that serious and don’t even break the skin, but some can become serious and at risk of becoming infected. So, how are you supposed to successfully treat them if you or your child has been bitten? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some answers below, so read on! Is It Possible for My Bite to Get Infected? It’s definitely possible, but it’s ...

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Are Rapid Flu Tests Accurate?

Flu rates have gone down drastically in the past year and a half due to social distancing and other health-safety precautions, but it’s still possible to get sick with the virus. If you suspect that you may have the flu, consider getting a rapid flu test! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains why rapid flu tests are effective and accurate below, so keep reading. How Is the Flu Different from COVID-19? The flu ...

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Can I Treat a Rash at Home?

No matter the cause of the rash, they can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. While you can certainly seek medical care to take care of your or your child’s rash, there are some things you can do at home that can help treat it, too! Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team provides some additional helpful information on rashes. What Causes a Skin Rash? Skin rashes can be caused by many things ...

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How to Stop the Bleeding Caused by a Cut or Laceration

Have you recently sustained a cut or laceration that is causing lots of bleeding? If so, it can be quite scary and can require professional medical attention at times, but there are things that you can do to slow or even stop the bleeding before visiting the doctor. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia highlights some basic first-aid tactics and home remedies below. Here’s what to do: Wash your hands first before interacting with the ...

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What Should I Know Before Getting an X-ray?

Not only are the events leading up to an X-ray often unpleasant, but getting an X-ray in and of itself can be a little nerve-wracking. So, what do need to know before getting an X-ray, and is anything required of you that will end up being inconvenient? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team shares some helpful information about the X-ray process below, so read on! What Are X-rays? X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation ...

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What Is a Kidney Infection?

Kidney infections are rare, but they can be severe. About one in every 30 cases of a UTI will lead to a kidney infection, and they are more common among women than men; although, they can affect anyone at any age. What exactly are kidney infections, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team has some answers, so read on. What Exactly Is a Kidney Infection? A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is a type of urinary ...

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What Does Pain in My Ear Mean?

It’s safe to say that you’re aware of how common earaches are among children, but that doesn’t mean that you’re exempt from ear pain! You don’t have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia shares some helpful info on some common causes of ear pain. What’s Causing My Ear Pain? When ...

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How Necessary Are Sports Physicals?

Did you know? Before your child can begin playing a sport this spring, he or she will need a sports physical first! Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains why below, so keep reading! Why Is a Sports Physical Necessary? Sports physicals, or Pre-Participation Exams (PPEs), are important because they can help you find out about and deal with health problems that might interfere with your child’s participation in a sport. Plus, visiting your ...

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How Can I Make Sure to Not Get Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a very common virus. It is most common in the late fall and early spring and among children between the ages of 5 and 15, but adults can get it too. In fact, approximately 11,000 to 24,000 Americans fall ill to the infection every year. So, how can you avoid getting strep throat this year? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia has the answers you’re looking for, so ...

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Is Back Pain a Normal COVID-19 Symptom?

Symptoms and COVID-19 are not a consistent match. In fact, medical experts across the globe have stated that symptoms are different in almost every COVID-19 case. Now, back pain has been making its way into the conversation. Is back pain something that you should be watching out for? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia has some helpful answers. How Common Is Back Pain in COVID-19? According to a past study done ...

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Ways to Prevent UTIs

While UTIs (urinary tract infections) are most common among women, they affect thousands of men every year as well. UTIs are best treated by using antibiotics, but there are lots of ways to prevent these pesky infections without having to go back to the doctor. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains. Where to start: Drink plenty of water. This is the easiest and one of the best ways to prevent ...

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