Did you know? Nearly everyone will come in contact with the Epstein-Barr virus—the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, or “mono,” for short. Mono is no walk in the park to deal with, but also isn’t typically a cause for much concern if you do happen to get it. Symptoms often clear up in about a month. However, some people claim that mono has had a long-term effect on their immune system. Read on →

The CDC recently stated that COVID-19 breakthrough infections are substantially more likely now than they were before. But, why? Read on for some helpful answers from our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team. What Causes Omicron Breakthrough Infections? Breakthrough infections are far more likely with the omicron variant than with any other previous form of the coronavirus causing COVID-19. A breakthrough infection means that a person tests positive for COVID-19 at least two weeks after becoming completely vaccinated, including receiving a booster dose when eligible. Read on →

Have you gotten a virus during the winter before? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Viral activity is much more common during the winter months, even though viruses exist year-round. Why is this is the case, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team provides some helpful information below, so keep reading! Is Viral Activity Affected by Cold Weather? Yes, it is. While cold weather doesn’t make you sick, it does provide a more comfortable habitat for illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 to thrive. Read on →

Is your child experiencing a scary-sounding cough that sounds like a dog’s bark? If so, he or she probably has croup, but you don’t need to worry. Croup is typically harmless, and you can usually effectively treat it in the comfort of your own home. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team further highlights croup below, so read on! What Is Croup? Croup is a viral upper respiratory infection that almost exclusively affects young children. Read on →

It can be tough to know whether your sore throat is simply a sore throat or if it’s something more, like strep throat. Strep throat is common during these winter months, and if you’re at all worried that you may have it, it’s best to get a rapid strep test at our AFC center. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team provides further info about strep testing and the importance of treating strep early on below, so keep reading! Read on →

The flu often gets worse this time of year, and rates are already higher than they were last year. With fewer people wearing masks and little social distancing, you’ll likely need to be more intentional in preventing the flu this year. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team highlights some key facts you need to know about the flu below, so keep reading! What Is the Flu? The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Read on →

Falls in the home are a problem. According to the CDC, more than one in four people ages 65 and older fall each year. Among the elderly, falls can result in serious, life-altering injuries. Whether you’re older than 65 or not, it’s always good to do what you can to lower your risk of falling and injuring yourself inside your own home. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team highlights what you can do to lower your fall risk below, so keep reading! Read on →

Yes, they can, sinus headaches aren’t the most common sinus infection symptoms. In fact, it’s often the case that most migraines are mistaken as sinus headaches. Why is this, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team provides some helpful answers and information on sinus infections below, so keep reading! What Is a Sinus Infection? A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue that surrounds the sinuses, which are hollow spaces within the bones between the eyes, behind the cheekbones and in the forehead. Read on →

It’s safe to do so! Even though your arm or both arms might be pretty sore, the CDC has deemed it safe to get both vaccines at the same time. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team provides further helpful info on these vaccines below! Is It OK to Get Both Vaccines at the Same Time? Yes, it is. Since the COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and the flu vaccine isn’t, they won’t cause any adverse effects when given together. Read on →

Atopic dermatitis, which is more commonly known as eczema, is a real pain. Many get it at a young age and grow out of it, while others deal with it throughout the majority of life. Eczema is a tough condition to treat, as it’s quite persistent. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team shares additional info on eczema below, so keep reading! What Exactly Is Eczema? Eczema is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. Read on →