Recent Blog Posts

With winter illness season just around the corner, it is important to understand the early symptoms of illnesses for fast diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention could stop symptoms before they manifest. Learn about walking pneumonia, how to identify the early symptoms, and available courses of treatment. Common Causes & Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or even mold exposure. Exposure to any of these irritants can ...

Read more..

With daylight savings time now behind us, you may notice that darkness is upon us much earlier in the day than before. Along with this, late fall is peak cold and flu season. Learn about how these factors can lead to feeling more fatigued compared to summer months. Common Reasons for Fatigue During Winter Winter is a time of festivity, gathering, and tradition. However, in many areas of the United States, it also is a ...

Read more..

Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia?  Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? In some cases, this happens when the inflammation of the bronchial tubes persists for some time and is not treated properly, leading to a bacterial or viral infection that can cause pneumonia.  When bronchitis becomes severe, the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line the bronchi can become damaged, making it difficult for mucus to clear from the lungs. This trapped mucus creates a breeding ground ...

Read more..

What Are the Degrees of Burns? A Guide to Identifying Burns So, what are the degrees of burns? If you’ve been wondering how to identify burns, we’ve got the answers for you. Burns are a common injury that can occur from various sources, including hot liquids, fire, chemicals, and sun exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is crucial ...

Read more..

Managing your health can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. During the fall, when illnesses tend to spread more frequently than the warm summer months, it can seem like you are always suffering from an illness. Eating well can have a huge impact on your overall health, and even boost your immunity which can help your body better prepare for fall illnesses. Learn more about how you can use food to boost your immunity this ...

Read more..

With the weather beginning to cool down, illnesses tend to become more apparent. With the colder weather, you may also notice some differences in your health such as some skin irritation. Learn about why your skin gets irritated in the colder months and how to manage the symptoms.  Common Skin Conditions In Fall Cooler weather brings plenty of unwanted side effects such as an increase in overall disease due to viruses like the cold and ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..