Recent Blog Posts

If you’re experiencing a mild cough, you may think it will just go away on its own. While some coughs will resolve on their own with time, a mild cough can sometimes turn into a condition called bronchitis. Bronchitis is a condition that causes inflammation inside the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. When these airways swell and fill with mucus, it can lead to a severe cough, along with ...

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The flu is a very common viral infection. It is highly contagious, and flu season tends to last from early fall into the early spring months. The flu is a respiratory illness, meaning that it primarily affects your lungs, throat and sinuses. The flu can lead to severe symptoms, including shortness of breath, which may require medical care. Keep reading to learn more about flu-induced shortness of breath and when to seek medical care for ...

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Having a runny nose is a common occurrence, especially during the colder winter months. Luckily, having a runny nose is not always a symptom of an illness, and instead can simply happen due to environmental irritation, temperature changes or allergies which lead to the over production of mucus. Keep reading to learn more about managing a runny nose, and when a runny nose may need medical attention. At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our ...

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Sore throats are an extremely common illness symptom. They are one of the most common reasons for urgent care visits. While a sore throat can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including seasonal allergies, environmental irritants and minor colds, strep throat is a very common condition which can lead to a severe sore throat. Identifying whether your sore throat is caused by strep throat, or something else, is essential. Strep throat requires medical ...

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Having a cough can be frustrating, especially when it lasts longer than other symptoms and just won’t seem to go away. Having a persistent cough can interrupt your sleep and productivity. If you’re finding that your cough is impacting your sleep, or even getting worse at night, you’re not alone. This article will review practical ways that you can manage and get rid of a cough so that you can get back ...

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When the weather cools down, cases of runny noses and congestion occur more often. These symptoms can happen due to a variety of conditions including environmental factors, allergies, and illnesses. Regardless of the cause, sinus irritation can quickly turn into a sinus infection without proper management. It’s important to monitor congestion and sinus irritation for signs of your symptoms worsening and potentially turning into a sinus infection. Keep reading to learn more about sinus ...

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Feeling under the weather can put a damper on your daily life. Runny noses, congestion, sore throats, and coughs can be incredibly frustrating to manage, and depending on the underlying cause, can be long-lasting without proper treatment. In most cases of mild viral infections, cold symptoms will resolve within a week. However, if your symptoms aren’t resolving in this timeframe or are continuing to get worse with time, it’s possible that the underlying ...

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Many different illnesses can spread during the fall season. However, it is not unusual to see a sudden uptick in cases of upper respiratory illnesses. In many cases, these conditions are caused by viral infections, which are highly contagious. In most cases, viral infections cause mild symptoms that can easily be managed at home. However, some symptoms caused by viral infections, like nasal congestion, can be difficult to manage and get rid of. Keep reading ...

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As the weather cools down, illnesses can spread quickly. When we spend time indoors in close proximity with others, and when kids return to school, the chances of getting sick increase drastically. Influenza, or the flu, tends to peak during this time. The flu is a contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. The flu can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including a high fever, cold-like symptoms ...

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Red and itchy eyes can be caused by a variety of different conditions. Debris in the eye, trauma to the eye, dry weather, infections, and seasonal allergies can all lead to eye irritation. During the fall months, irritation to the eyes due to exposure to allergens is very common, and can cause long lasting irritation without proper symptom management. Keep reading to learn more about fall allergy symptoms and treatment options. If you’re experiencing ...

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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a bacterial infection in the urethra. They can happen due to a variety of causes including poor hygiene, environmental conditions, and genetics. Symptoms can be painful and long lasting without proper care. Common symptoms include pain while urinating, fever and sometimes nausea. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a UTI, seeking medical care is vital so that you can begin treatment as quickly as possible. At AFC Urgent Care West ...

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Are you experiencing pain and general discomfort in your ear? Ear infections are common summertime ailments. They can occur due to a variety of underlying causes. However, in the summer, ear infections are commonly caused by water getting trapped inside of the ear canal. Ear infections can lead to unpleasant symptoms, and it is vital that you seek urgent medical care before traveling if you think that you have an ear infection. Flying with an ...

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During the summertime, cases of ear infections tend to increase. Getting water in the ear from activities like swimming can lead to infections called swimmers’ ear. Although cases of swimmers’ ear are common, it can require medical treatment to clear up the infection in some cases. Being able to identify the symptoms of an ear infection early and taking preventative measures against ear infections in the summertime can help avoid painful symptoms. If you’re ...

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Too much heat exposure can cause imbalance in your body in many different ways. Heat rash can occur when your sweat becomes trapped within your pores, causing an irritated and raised rash that is commonly confused with hives. Heat rash most commonly occurs around the neck and on the stomach, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Treatment for heat rash typically includes getting out of the heat and using topical creams to soothe ...

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Seasonal allergies can be frustrating to manage. While adults can easily identify their symptoms and treat themselves, children who experience seasonal allergies may have a difficult time expressing their discomfort. While seasonal allergies and illnesses like colds may present similar symptoms, it is important to understand the difference between the two ailments so that you can treat your child effectively. Keep reading to learn more about identifying seasonal allergy symptoms in children so that you ...

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During the summer months bug bites are very common. There are many different kinds of insects that can cause irritation and itchy bug bites. While ticks do not often cause red and itchy bites, they can spread diseases when they bite. One of the most common tick-borne illnesses is Lyme disease, which occurs when a deer tick bites a human after biting an infected deer. Lyme disease can have many different symptoms, and early intervention ...

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Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused primarily by the "Borrelia Burgdorferi" bacterium, can lead to many symptoms. Left untreated, it can change from mild flu-like signs to severe neurological and joint complications. Fortunately, various treatment options are available to manage and eliminate the infection, especially when diagnosed early. If you’re bitten by a tick and are in need of rapid Lyme disease testing services, AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch can help. Our walk-in ...

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When it comes to your health, prevention and awareness are key, and that includes your sexual health. Annual STD testing might not seem like a priority, especially if you feel healthy or are in a committed relationship. However, the reality is that many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be asymptomatic for months or even years. Regular testing helps detect diseases early, protects your partners, and supports public health efforts to reduce transmission rates. Whether you ...

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Seasonal allergies affect over 81 million people in the United States. Although some lucky individuals do not suffer from seasonal allergies in the spring, for most, the start of spring and the arrival of warmer weather is a bittersweet time. Spring allergy symptoms can fluctuate in severity based on what you’re allergic to and how often you’re exposed to your allergens. Keep reading to learn more about seasonal allergies and how to treat ...

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HFMD is often perceived as an illness that only impacts young children, but adults can get hand, foot, and mouth, too. Dispelling the myth that HFMD exclusively affects children is critical, especially since adults may not realize they're carrying the virus and could inadvertently spread it. Save Your Spot What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children, typically those under the age of five. It ...

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