Recent Blog Posts

COVID-19 has thrown everything out of wack for 2020. If you are wondering whether or not AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is open, the answer is yes! We are open while providing all of the same general services as before. We have also expanded our services to cover any COVID need you may have. We offer three types of COVID testing and information on any questions that may come up. When coming to see us ...

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<![CDATA[Last year, norovirus plagued some of our favorite local restaurant establishments and infected many people in our surrounding community. The virus commonly known as the stomach flu or bug is an intestinal virus that may cause acute gastroenteritis. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted from person to person by contaminated food and water and contaminated surfaces. Norovirus is very common in the winter time and as history can often repeat itself it is important to be aware of how to stay clean and healthy. AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is here to help prepare you for a norovirus outbreak with prevention and treatment tips. Wash rinse and repeat to prevent norovirus Wash your hands! Do this throughout the day. It’s simple, easy and can keep you safe after touching contaminated surfaces. It is best to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. As you should be washing your hands to keep you safe from winter illnesses like norovirus and the flu, it is important to remember to do so when you’re in areas where there are large populations. It is very common for norovirus to be present in schools, restaurants, hospitals, elder -care facilities and daycare centers. If you’re worried about your children coming into contact with norovirus partner up with their teachers to ensure that they’re practice good hygiene inside and out of the classroom. Prevent norovirus by watching what you eat As mentioned earlier, food establishments can be a breeding ground for norovirus. If you’re at a restaurant and you notice an employee touching your food without gloves, that is the first sign of unsafe food practices. Do not eat there! Safe food handling and preparation should include: Washing your hands well prior to handling foods Wearing disposable gloves Cooking food at the correct temperatures Cleaning/washing fruits and vegetables properly If you’re an employee and you are sick with norovirus it is best to stay home and avoid going back to work until at least 3 days after symptoms have subsided. Norovirus dehydrates. Stay hydrated! Try to keep your fluids up if you begin to feel any symptoms. Symptoms can include one or more of the following: Diarrhea Vomiting Cramping Abdominal pain Low grade fever/chill Muscle aches Sometimes we don’t realize that after repeated diarrhea or vomiting we lose precious amounts of water in our body. We can often become dehydrated and low on electrolytes. It is important to rehydrate and maintain hydration with frequent sips of water or a rehydration drinks such as pedialyte. Try to avoid sodas, alcohol and other juices that have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. AFC West Hartford is your local norovirus expert! If you or a loved one has come into contact with norovirus, please stay isolated for at least 48 hours. If symptoms continue after 3-4 days, seek medical help. We are here for you and can point you in the right direction for your recovery needs. There’s no appointment needed at our AFC West Hartford Urgent Care Center. We are open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm weekdays, 8am-5pm weekends, and we accept most insurances. For more information contact us here or call us at 860-986-6440. ]]>

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As you probably have figured out by now, social distancing does not mean have sex as much as possible. It is also not a time to be reckless and have unprotected sex. For that reason, we must be smart and safe so that we can "flatten the curve" and reduce the amount of COVID-19 infections and unwanted STD's. With many of us in single self isolation, it’s not surprising that many of us ...

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Because February is National Heart Health Month, AFC Urgent Care wants you to be aware of the warning signs of a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. Half a million women in America die each year due to heart-related complications. This is an astounding statistic. People 1 year or older can reduce their risk of having heart complications by making healthy lifestyle ...

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More than one-third of American households will put up a Christmas tree during the holiday season. Shortly there- after, many may begin experiencing suspicious symptoms mimicking seasonal allergies. This can include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, don’t panic, you’re not allergic to Christmas, although it may feel as though you are. You might, however, be allergic to your Christmas tree. Enter Christmas Tree ...

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People are often telling us they don’t know when they need stitches. This Medical Minute is here to answer all your questions. Whether or not you need stitches depends on a variety of factors. Factors you must consider… how big the wound is how deep it is where on the body it is located It is important to come on in to our west Hartford urgent care center, go to your doctor or visit ...

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Have you noticed that the bees buzzing around are a lot angrier these days? It’s not your imagination…they’re mad. Late summer into early fall is the height of “angry bee” season. As bees and wasps near the end of their life cycle, they become increasingly aggressive. Here at AFC Urgent Care West Hartford we have seen a dramatic upswing of kids walking through our doors with painful sores and welts from stings ...

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As temperatures drop and the bitter cold of winter sets in you may notice signs of skin damage from the air. Constant exposure to whipping winds and harsh temperatures (bitter cold outdoors and dry heat indoors) can lead to irritated, itchy, flaky, and dry skin. Even worse, irritation can lead to outbreaks of conditions like eczema and cracked winter skin can become infected.   Use the following tips to maintain healthy, moisturized skin all winter long ...

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Achew!! Spring allergies are in full force this season! We’ve had sporadic weather changes this winter and now pollen is blowing in the air. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics now have to worry about how to manage their symptoms while COVID-19 is still around. AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is here to help you answer the question; ‘do I have spring allergies, or COVID-19?’. We’ll help break it down for you below. COVID-19 and ...

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Spring is packed with some of our favorite things — picnics, outdoor adventures and longer, warmer days — but it’s also when allergies act up and cold season lingers. Sometimes it can be tough to tell if you’re coming down with a cold or if your sinuses are just revolting against the high pollen count, and changes in the weather. If you find yourself sniffling and aren’t sure whether you need chicken soup and ...

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