Mosquitoes have always been a source of annoyance. Usually we only need to worry about them in the summer, but the Zika virus outbreak is causing people to sweat throughout the world. So, what exactly is Zika? We’re here to help you learn everything you need to know about Zika virus. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus has been known to circulate Africa, the Americas, Asia ...
The United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world. As different as we may seem, our health issues can be very similar. Health care trends tend to be pretty consistent across large swaths of the population, so it’s important to pay attention when one becomes widespread. AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield can advise you on which conditions should concern you and how to take action to prevent them. The No ...
Here is the second part of our series on flu season! We hope you took our advice from last week and got your flu shot! We’re going to get a bit more into the nitty-gritty about how the flu spreads and what makes the flu vaccine work. So hang on, we’re diving right in! The influenza virus is a respiratory virus, and it spreads primarily through contact with respiratory droplets. However, these droplets ...
What is Black Ice? Black ice, which is sometimes called clear ice, refers to a thin coating of glaze ice on a surface, especially on roads. How Does Black Ice Form? Black ice forms when the temperature is at 32 °F or below and some form of precipitation is falling on a road surface that is at a temperature below 0 °C. When Does Black Ice Occur? Black ice occurs when ground temperature causes the ...
The influenza virus is a seasonal epidemic that typically hits the United States around October and can last until May. Even though this is a yearly occurrence, there are still some misconceptions about the flu and what people should do to protect themselves. To keep our readers informed, we are doing a two-part series on important facts people should know about the flu. Part two will be released next week. The flu is not just ...
After an unseasonably warm start on the East Coast, winter is finally letting us feel its chill. It might seem like yesterday that high temperatures were breaking records all over the place, so it can be easy to disregard the recent cold. Winter weather can present a lot of hazards though, so it’s important to be aware of what might happen in your area and be prepared for what winter may bring. Here are ...
Every January, you see the determined, motivated faces of people all around you working to improve themselves in the new year. Inevitably, by March, the vast majority of those have gotten off-track or completely given up on their goals. It’s not a lack of desire for these changes to work or even a lack of commitment to their goals that’s knocked them off the path toward a better self. For many people, change ...
This holiday season, give the gift of good health! Instead of spending a fortune on the latest fad, invest in your health and the health of your loved ones. Trends come and go, but good health will always be in style. Whether you’re shopping for a budding health nut or a fitness fanatic, this guide will help you find the perfect healthy gift for all the special people in your life. Reusable water bottle ...
The weather outside is getting frightful, which must mean we’ve entered the winter season. For people with all skin types, it can be a lot more challenging to keep skin healthy and moisturized in the cold, unforgiving air outside and the dry, punishing heat inside. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense when it comes to preventing illness, so keeping it healthy can directly influence how you feel all winter long ...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — that is unless your Christmas tree causes you to have an allergic reaction. More than one third of American households will put up a Christmas tree during the holiday season, and if you find yourself sneezing with a runny nose and itchy eyes once the tree is up, you might have a case of “Christmas tree syndrome” — an allergic reaction to your tree, real or artificial ...
This year, about 50 percent of people in the United States will attend at least one holiday party. For about half of us, our employer will host a party for us. About 20 percent of us will even host our own. With those numbers, it’s easy to see a lot of potential pitfalls ahead. So don’t let yourself get caught off-guard, read this guide to see how AFC Urgent Care Urgent Care can ...
Turkey, pumpkin pie, loved ones and gratitude are hallmarks of the season. We sit around the table, poised to dive into tempting treats, and talk about our comfortable homes or new jobs or time spent with family. We are thankful. Being thankful means pausing to think about what is important in our lives, as well as why these things are important in our lives. As the words “I’m thankful for my health” cross your ...
If ever there were a time during the year that all workers dread, it has to be flu season. Sniffling coworkers, wheezing kids and running out of tissues or hand sanitizer can make the months of flu season extremely stressful, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who remains healthy. Every year, American businesses lose billions of dollars in sick days and lost productivity. Experts estimate the economy will lose about about $20 ...
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. One out of every 11 Americans has diabetes, and 86 million more are pre-diabetic. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the United States spends about $245 million every year on health care for people with diabetes, and recent projections have determined that as many as one in every three adults will have diabetes by 2050 if nothing changes. Type 2 ...
Over the past decade, America’s obsession with pumpkin has been growing. As we all know, pumpkins are no longer just for carving. What started as an innocent pumpkin spice flavored latte has turned into pumpkin spice breakfast sausage, pumpkin spice beer, pumpkin spice chewing gum and pumpkin-spice-flavored-everything! But that pumpkin obsession could pay off in the long run, with benefits to your health. In its raw state, pumpkin is a squash that is loaded ...
The crisp air, the crunchy leaves and the sniffles in our offices and classrooms give it away; it’s officially the beginning of fall. While the season may be beautiful, the flu that always seems to come with it is certainly not. To protect yourself this flu season, you need to know exactly how the flu operates, so you can separate myth from fact. Here are some of the most common myths about the flu ...
AFC Urgent Care South Plainfield wants to make sure that athletes, parents, and coaches are all aware of the information needed to help keep your kids in the game during the fall season! Safety is our top priority here, so here are a few tips on how to help prevent injuries this season. Athletes, it is important that you know your limits. Full speeds and direct contact in any sport can cause an injury, regardless ...
Now that August has arrived, that can only mean one thing — it’s time for the kids to start heading back to school! But did you know that August is also National Immunization Awareness Month? Getting immunized against infectious diseases is important for your health, as well as the health of those around you. And with the start of the new school year just around the corner, it is especially important for your child’s ...
Break out the lunch boxes and the three-ring binders, back-to-school season is upon us again! Amid the mad dash for backpacks, pencil cases and the rapidly approaching school bus, it’s easy to forget about the health concerns of going back to school. Back-to-school time is also prime time for germs and bugs; an enormous number of children spend most of the day in close contact and touch a lot of shared surfaces (e.g ...
When the summer gets hot, swimming in the pool or at the beach is the perfect way to beat the heat. Unfortunately, 2.4 million people each year leave the water only to experience the pain, swelling, and itchiness of Swimmer’s Ear. Otitis Externa (A.K.A Swimmer’s Ear) is an infection of the outer ear canal caused by an excess of moisture and bacteria in the ear. This illness is especially prevalent ...
