" Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. It can cause liver disease, liver cancer, and even death if untreated. According to WHO statistics, 3% of the world’s population has been infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This translates into 170 million chronic carriers of the virus. Statistics show that Baby Boomers (people born between the years of 1945 and 1965) are five times more likely to be infected with Hepatitis C. The ...
" Hey Bentley University students! The semester just started and it already feels like it’s never going to end, but you do have Spring Break to look forward to! When it’s freezing outside and you’re stuck in the Bentley bubble, there is nothing to get you through these long, cold days. How about day dreaming about tropical paradises, or European adventures? Before you get too caught up in the fantasy of relaxing with ...
With all of the winter storms we’ve already had and with such a long winter still ahead of us, we here at AFC Urgent Care in Waltham, MA want to provide you with some useful tips to make sure you are prepared and stay safe during winter storms. Be prepared: Make sure you have an “emergency kit” prepared in your home or car with items like bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets, a flashlight, and ...
In a few weeks, millions of people are going to descend upon Sochi, Russia to witness great feats by the world’s best winter athletes. If you are planning on being one of the millions, you should take some precautions before you go. The US State Department issued an alert for those traveling to the Olympics. In the alert, it is mentioned that travelers consider the medical care environment. They warn the medical infrastructure in ...
" Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are infections in the urinary system, including kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The population with the greatest risk of infection is women; however, men can develop UTIs as well. Symptoms include strong persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation, cloudy or red urine, pelvic (women) or rectal (men) pain. Should a UTI spread to your kidneys, there can be serious complications and consequences. The infection is caused when bacteria enters through the ...
" A sore throat can be many things. It can be a sign of a cold, strep, or just plain irritation. We have many ways that you can remedy a sore throat at home. Take an anti-inflammatory (NSAID): It can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and help with a fever if you have one Gargle saltwater: water mixed with salt can help reduce swelling as well as loosen mucus and remove irritants and bacteria. Lozenge and ...
" With the Winter Olympics right around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy of being an Olympic athlete and forget that injuries are a serious and all too common part of winter sports. Ice skating, hockey, and skiing are all fun but come with the chance of serious injury occurring. These injuries can range from muscle pulls to bone breaks and concussions. We here at AFC Urgent Care have some ...
" Winter is the time of year for ice skating, snowball fights and sledding, but don’t get caught off guard by the slippery conditions outside. With the snow accumulating you’ll want to make sure you take extra care, especially the elderly and young children. Slipping and falling on icy sidewalks and roadways can lead to serious injuries. There are however, some things you can do to make sure you stay safe this winter. Wearing ...
" Nothing is worse than getting sick over the holidays… except for getting sick when you’re traveling over the holidays! You’re out of your element, in a strange city, probably sleeping in a strange bed, you’re spreading your germs all over your friends and family members, and no doctor’s office on the planet is open. If you go to the Emergency Room, you’re looking at long a wait and a hefty ...
" What options are there for college students who need health care while away at school? The student health center is always a great option, but likely has limited hours and resources. Going to the ER is time-consuming and expensive and often not the right level of care for every day aches, pains, or ailments. An emergency room alternative, such as AFC Urgent Care Waltham Urgent Care, can provide exacting care for the student body in ...
" Adults age 65 years or older typically have weaker immune systems and, therefore, are more susceptible to the influenza virus (the flu). Most hospitalizations and deaths from the seasonal flu occur in people over the age of 65 who have underlying medical conditions. This is why it is important that all Senior Citizens get a flu shot as soon it is available in their area. In fact, in a recent study by the Center for ...
" Lyme Disease is a type of bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of a deer tick. The disease was discovered in children back in the mid-1970s and was originally mistaken for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. While it might look like a skin infection, Lyme Disease can actually lead to arthritis and can also spread to the heart, brain and nervous system if left untreated. Cases of Lyme Disease have been reported in every U ...
" If you spend time in the outdoors, you are susceptible to poison ivy, oak, and sumac. The oil found in these plants causes an itchy, blistering rash to form on the skin 12 to 72 hours after you come in contact with it. The rash is not contagious and may appear to spread but this is actually just a delayed reaction. Without treatment, the rash will typically go away in a few weeks. The skin ...
" According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conjunctivitis – or pink eye – is one of the most common eye conditions found in both children and adults. It’s also an eye infection that’s easily treatable and often best done in a walk-in urgent care center. Here’s a closer look at conjunctivitis, how it spreads and how it’s treated. Conjunctivitis defined: Pink eye occurs when the thin lining on the inside ...
" Many episodes of cough are benign, short-lived, and self-resolving….so how do you know when the time is right to go and get evaluated by a doctor? And where do you go? Ideally, when we are ill, we are able to see our primary care physicians for assessment and treatment. When possible, it is always advisable to maintain continuity of care by following up with our own Internists, and we at AFC Urgent Care Waltham ...
" AFC Urgent Care Waltham will be participating at the 5th Annual Waltham Riverfest this Saturday, June 15th. Come out to Moody Street and enjoy food, crafts, live music, and various family activities. Vendors will be set up on the Moody Street bridge from 11am to 4pm. Come by and say hello! AFC Urgent Care is a walk-in urgent care facility treating patients 1 year or older every day from 8am to 8pm. No appointment or ...
" Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) is an infection of the external auditory canal. It is often related to swimming, but not always. It can be caused by scratching the ear or by aggressive cleaning. A person may feel ear pain, swelling, blockage, itching or discharge. Rubbing, inserting Q-tips, or getting it wet in a pool or shower can make it worse. These symptoms may also be due to other causes, such as middle ear infection ...
" The 2013 Health and Fitness Expo is a free-to-the-public community health event at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on June 22-23 from 10am to 5pm. The event attracts more than 60,000 people from the Greater Boston region. Various health and wellness vendors will offer free health screenings, demonstrations, and giveaways. There will also be celebrity appearances from New England Patriots Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork, Mario Lopez, and winners from The Biggest Loser ...
" As the premiere sponsor of the Race Around Waltham Series (RAW), AFC Urgent Care Waltham is looking forward to the 6th Annual Tailgate Trot, the 5th race in the series, on Saturday, June 8th. The TailgateTrot is a 4 mile road race to celebrate the life of Michael A. Martin and to support the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts and New Hampshire Chapter, American Cancer Society New England Division, Joslin Diabetes Center High Hopes Fund, and ...
" With the arrival of hot weather there is also the potential of heat-related illness. There is a wide range of potential problems, including muscle cramps, swelling of hand and feet, dehydration, fainting, and full blown heat stroke. These problems can affect people 1 year or older, and those who are otherwise in excellent health, although individuals with underlying medical conditions are more susceptible. Young children, the elderly, and people on certain medications are particularly at ...
