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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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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Diagnosing yourself can always be a little tricky, especially at this time of year. Many different infections share similar symptoms, so having a cough or body aches doesn’t automatically mean that you have a cold or the flu. It could also mean RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which can be a serious upper respiratory infection. RSV causes thousands of hospitalizations every winter season across the country, so knowing what to look for and taking ...

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Being healthy is one of the greatest gifts in life. Taking care of your body and mind will pay off in a big way as your immune system and general wellness help you avoid illness and stay healthy. However, infections and other illnesses often have minds of their own and can’t entirely be prevented. Even if you are an otherwise healthy person, influenza can sneak up on you and cause you to become really ...

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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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The dreaded sore throat can be one of the more frustrating symptoms of illness. While sometimes a simple drink of water can help ease the pain, other times it’s only the beginning of a frustrating infection that lingers for days. Unfortunately, a sore throat is a common symptom across many different illnesses, so it can be hard to diagnose yourself at home. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team is here to help! We can ...

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It’s that time of year again when fall and winter illnesses rear their ugly heads. We all know that colds and the flu start to pop up more as the seasons progress, and we have to start including COVID-19 into the mix as well. COVID-19 cases are rising right now, and we expect to see more cases again as more people head inside when the temperatures start to cool off. Remember, you can get ...

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Getting older is a blessing, but that doesn’t mean it is an easy thing to experience. Certain things become more difficult as we age, and falling at home becomes more of a concern. If you fall as a child or young adult, chances are you will be able to bounce back up with nothing more than a bruise and some residual pain. When you are older, the risk of severe injury or a dangerous ...

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