Summer is halfway over and it’s time to start preparing for back to school. Whatever grade your child is entering, they’re going to need a back to school physical. Why? Because physicals are the first step to building your child’s medical history and making sure they’re up to date with their vaccinations. Whether they decide to play a fall sport or need updated immunizations, a physical will cover all of that ...
The sun is out, and that means two things: it's time to get outside, and it's time to protect yourself from UV rays. But, I thought the sun was good for you? Yes, it is. However, it can also be your worst enemy when it comes to heat exhaustion, sunstroke and overexposure to harmful UV rays. No wonder, July is known as UV Safety Awareness Month. It's time to learn the dangers ...
June is Men’s Health Month, and it’s a great time to focus on the health and wellness of our fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends. This month, let’s all commit to making small changes that will have a big impact on our health. Taking care of ourselves should be a top priority, and Men’s Health Month is the perfect time to start. AFC Urgent Care wants to help men prioritize their ...
Deer ticks are winning the battle in the northeast and are giving people Lyme disease. Lyme disease has been a growing concern in the New England states for years, and Massachusetts is notorious for deer tick bites because these little guys think the woodlands and grassy plains of your favorite hiking spots are the best places for them to populate, latch onto you and spread Lyme disease. The worst part is these black legged ticks ...
April is STD Awareness Month. If you’re reading this, you’re on the right path for lowering your risk of getting an STD ( sexually transmitted disease), STI’s ( sexually transmitted infections) and are looking into testing options. After all, STD testing should be second nature if you plan on becoming sexually active. Did you know that over 26 million people are diagnosed with STDs each year in the United States? About half of this ...
If you have allergies or asthma, spring can be a challenging time of the year. Millions of people who suffer from spring allergies often come down with sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes and runny noses. But, could it also be COVID-19? Many of the symptoms often overlap! So confusing! We get it. The good news is that the brutal r COVID-19 winter wave is starting to wane. Although it is still very much a threat, some ...
“I have a sore throat. Is it strep throat or COVID-19?” “We’re seeing more patients than ever at our urgent-care centers who are reporting sore throats,” says Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of AFC in a recent interview. Colds, flu, strep throat and COVID-19 are very common right now, especially in the colder months. With cases of COVID-19 surging, the easy go to these days is that it’s COVID. But, you can ...
Aren’t all COVID tests the same thing? No, they’re not all the same. Rapid COVID tests may all produce rapid results, but the method of testing or the type of test you decide upon has its differences. If you’re confused about which one to get, then you’re in the same boat as many other people, especially after the holidays. Chances are you may have been exposed, as the Omicron variant is ...
Tis the season to be COVID-19 free, fa la la la la, la la la la! Going to an event this Christmas? You can’t forget about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year too. December is filled with holidays, so let’s make sure you plan a health and safety checklist when planning a COVID-19 free holiday season. COVID-19 is still around, although we now have vaccines for it and new testing options. Whether you ...
Are you at risk for diabetes? How is one supposed to know if they have diabetes in the first place? In light of Diabetes Awareness month, AFC Urgent Care West Springfield encourages everyone to get checked out for diabetes. Why? because Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects more than 30 million people in the United States. This is why it’s important to not dismiss the warning signs as diabetes can easily be ...
