Recent Blog Posts

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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September signals the transition from summer to fall, bringing unique health challenges. As the weather shifts and kids head back to school, various illnesses become more prevalent. In this article, we'll explore the common illnesses to watch out for in September. We’ll review their symptoms, provide prevention tips, and discuss when to seek treatment. For general illness diagnosis and care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch. Let's ...

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As the leaves start to change and the air becomes crisper, many people eagerly anticipate the beauty of the fall season. However, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, autumn can bring a different kind of anticipation - one filled with sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. In this article, we'll explore what causes fall allergies, discuss the allergy and pollen forecast for 2023, and provide tips on how to prepare for the allergy season. Find ...

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Sports Physicals: Getting Ready to Go Back to School Before hitting the field, court, or track, there's a crucial checkpoint that ensures the well-being of our student-athletes: sports physicals.  These check-ups are a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and performance of young athletes. They not only fulfill school and sports league requirements but also serve as a comprehensive assessment to detect and prevent potential health issues. Save Your Spot The Importance of Sports Physicals Physicals ...

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Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen in females can indicate unique problems related to women’s health. Learn more about what can cause pain and when to seek medical attention. Where is the pain coming from? There are many organs on the left side of the abdomen. When experiencing lower left side pain, it could be coming from one of these organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic: Small intestine Colon Appendix Ovaries ...

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Several factors influence when a person with a cold stops being contagious. If you want to stop the spread of the cold and guarantee a fast recovery, you need to know the duration of the infectious phase. But, it is hard to pinpoint the exact time a cold is no longer contagious because symptoms can vary and fluctuate. Causes Of Getting A Cold In The Summer & Symptoms Although it may appear counterintuitive, getting a cold ...

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From 2010 to 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were 9.4 million to 41 million flu illnesses every year. But there is an easy way to protect yourself — the flu shot. Studies show that the severity of the flu is significantly less if you catch the flu but are vaccinated. The CDC says the flu vaccine reduces the risk of seeing a doctor for the flu by 40% to ...

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I Have an STD, But I'm Not Sexually Active If you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but are not sexually active, there are a few reasons why this could be the case. "STD" refers to the constellation of diseases that result from a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For example, cervical cancer is an STD from the STI of HPV. Though it is possible to contract an STI even if you are not ...

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What does hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) look like? The symptoms can look different for kids and adults. See what the symptoms can be and how to treat them. What is Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease? HFMD is a common viral illness caused by the enterovirus, most commonly the coxsackievirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the disease primarily affects children under 5, but anyone, including adults, can contract it. It’s typically a mild illness. The disease ...

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If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...

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Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...

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While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in West Long Branch indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain.    Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...

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Many people have seasonal asthma and don't know how to treat it.  It has multiple triggers that can impact your health and worsen the allergic attack. Various bacteria, pollen, and viruses can cause it. Regardless of what causes your seasonal asthma, it is important to get it diagnosed and treated timely. Visiting an urgent care center is the right way to keep the symptoms from worsening and receive instant medical assistance. Keep scrolling to ...

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Introduction Did you know women's healthcare is frequently overlooked, underfunded, and under-resourced? Unfortunately, women have historically encountered numerous barriers to receiving quality healthcare services. As a result, many women may neglect their health and fail to obtain the necessary care. Women’s Health Women's health is vital, and women must have quick access to preventive care services to guarantee their ongoing health and well-being. Women can spot and address potential health concerns with ...

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Those who are looking for medical help that is both prompt and trustworthy often turn to urgent care facilities as an alternative. These locations do not need patients to make an appointment to treat a wide variety of urgent medical conditions since they are always ready to treat patients as needed. Urgent care facilities provide patients with a wide range of services, from testing for sexually transmitted diseases to treating injuries quickly. Let's discuss ...

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Bronchitis is an infection that affects the respiratory system and results from bacteria or viruses. This illness leads to inflammation in the bronchial passages, which may create a wide variety of symptoms that are unsettling to the patient. The severity of these symptoms may vary from moderate to severe, and they have the potential to interfere with everyday tasks as well as the quality of life. This post will examine some of the most typical ...

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So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in West Long Branch has answers, and treatment, for you.  Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...

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The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually.  This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...

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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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