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 Raleigh Midtown, 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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Lately, concussions among football players have been the talk among medical professionals, and for good reason, especially after the inappropriately, and even denied, treatment of Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovaila, who recently sustained multiple head injuries in the 2022 NFL season. Concussions are brain injuries any football player can sustain; as a parent or coach, understanding the signs and symptoms of this condition can help increase the speed at which your child receives treatment. Read ...

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STD symptoms, though common, can show up differently for men and women, so it’s vital that you know what signs to look for if you suspect you have contracted an STD. The sooner you notice these signs and symptoms, the sooner you can treat these sexually transmitted diseases. Keep reading to learn more. Chlamydia Symptoms One of the most commonly reported STDs is chlamydia, which affects more women than it does men. Women will ...

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Knowing the incubation period and how long you’re contagious is important when contracting an illness, especially one like COVID-19. We can limit the spread of the virus if we better understand when someone is at their most contagious to prevent passing it on to a family member or friend. Keep reading to understand what an incubation period is, the timeline for COVID-19, and when you’re most contagious. What Is an Incubation Period? An ...

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Every winter, a new flu vaccine becomes available, but not many people understand when adults and children should receive their shots. This vaccine is important for protecting yourself and your loved ones from contracting the illness this season. Get a head start on your immunization by getting vaccinated for the flu at the correct time each year. Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine? The majority of your community should be receiving the flu vaccine. Everyone ...

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Are you visiting a doctor for routine health check-ups? This practice is important for preventative healthcare and ensuring you remain healthy. Exercising regularly, taking care of your mental health, and eating a balanced diet are all great tools for taking care of your health. However, you must still see a medical professional once a year—keep reading to learn why. Detect Health Conditions and Diseases Early An annual physical or health check will allow your ...

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At the beginning of the pandemic, when you needed a COVID-19 test, you most likely had to wait in line at a testing site. A couple of years later, you can now use at-home kits or simply walk into an urgent care clinic. Understand the differences between the two tests so you can find the best option for you and your family. Urgent Care Testing Testing at a facility such as urgent care ensures accuracy ...

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