Recent Blog Posts

Coughing is a common occurrence. It is often your body's way of clearing irritants from your airways. Most of the coughs are harmless and resolve on their own. However, there are situations where a cough may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Read this article to identify when it is advisable to seek medical attention for a cough. For a thorough evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan, visit the walk-in clinic at ...

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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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Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is a condition that affects the outer ear canal. It is typically caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, often due to water remaining in the ear after swimming or exposure to moisture. Swimmer’s ear can last for months and are common among children and teenagers who swim often. Swimmer’s Ear Causes and Symptoms Swimmer’s ear is common in children due to its narrow ...

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Do you think you have been dealing with an ear infection? Want to verify whether it’s true or not? Read further to learn what ear infection is, what is causing it, and how to treat it. What Causes an Ear Infection? Also known as acute otitis media or sudden infection, an ear infection develops when fluid containing viruses or bacteria gets trapped in the middle part of the ear. Over time, these trapped germs ...

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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 Orange 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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About  X-rays are radiation that can pass through your body and photograph what's inside. Doctors use these images to check for fractured bones or other issues. A contrast medium, usually iodine or barium, is put into your body for some X-ray examinations to provide more clarity on the pictures. However, excessive X-ray exposure can be detrimental, so healthcare professionals must take measures to protect you from too much radiation. Here are some of the ...

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Injuries are a fact of life for many sportsmen, whatever the sports may be. Since sportsmen have to be active and present their game always, it's crucial to receive the appropriate care as soon as they occur through an urgent care center. But one would wonder when trips to the urgent care centers are necessary for typical sports injuries. What kinds of sports injuries can an urgent care center treat? Plus, is it safe ...

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A sore throat may seem harmless, but it is a basic cause of many other infections and diseases, such as sinus, flu, and viral infections. Many think of a sore throat as normal or harmless, leading to great discomfort and bodily stress afterward. Understanding the real causes and symptoms of a sore throat can greatly help get immediate medical care. The following details are crucial to understanding the causes of a sore throat and knowing ...

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STDs can infect and spread to people of all ages, but they mainly affect young people. An STD can spread through any sexual contact. What Types of STD Tests are Performed at an Urgent Care Center? Contacting an urgent care office is a great way to get an STD test. These facilities may offer a variety of STD tests to help you find out if you have any infection. Urgent care centers are a great ...

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So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in West Orange 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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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 West Orange, 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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