Yes, mono is a highly contagious viral illness. Although teens and young adults most often get sick with mono, anyone can get it. Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team highlights some important info that you need to know about mono below, so keep reading! What Is Mono? Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, is a group of symptoms that is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It’s known as the “kissing disease” because it’s spread by the transmission of bodily fluids—most commonly, saliva. Read on →

A few months ago, “breakthrough” COVID-19 infections were extremely rare. The CDC predicted that breakthrough infections would be infrequent during the original strain of COVID-19, and even during the delta variant. However, this is not the case with omicron. Continue reading to learn why breakthrough infections are more frequent with the omicron variant from our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team. What Are Breakthrough Infections? According to the CDC, breakthrough infections happen when a person tests positive for COVID-19 at least two weeks after being fully vaccinated, including getting a booster dose when eligible. Read on →

Yes, it does. In fact, according to the CDC, viruses like the flu reach their peak between December and February. Why does this happen, though? Does the chilly weather have something to do with it? Read on for some helpful answers from our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team! Does Cold Weather Have an Impact on Viral Activity? It certainly does. While cold weather does not cause you to catch a virus, it does provide a more conducive habitat for illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. Read on →

Croup is the worst! Even though this respiratory infection is a common one among young children, it causes a horrible-sounding cough that is tough for both parent and child to bear. Croup is common during the winter months, so how can you prevent your child from having to deal with it? Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team provides some helpful answers below, so keep reading! What Is Croup? Croup is a viral upper respiratory infection that most often affects children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Read on →

You’ve likely had strep throat before, and you likely had it as a kid. In fact, according to the CDC, three out of 10 kids who have a sore throat really have strep throat. Strep throat is even more common among children and adults during the winter months, so it’s important to know what the symptoms are and how it is treated. Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team highlights some of this important info below, so keep reading! Read on →

Flu rates are already very high in our area! Getting the annual flu vaccine is the best thing you can do to prevent yourself from getting sick. While the flu vaccine is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from the virus, other health precautions can be of great help, too. Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team highlights what you can do to stay healthy this winter below! Read on →

Did you know? According to the National Institute of Health, six out of every 10 falls among seniors happen in the home. As an adult child, having elderly parents who live alone can be scary, so it’s truly in your best interest to ensure their home is as safe as it can possibly be. Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team has listed some effective ways to help your parents be safer at home below, so keep reading! Read on →

It’s safe to say that many of us have heard of sinusitis before, but do you even know what it is or if you’ve had it? Sinusitis is, perhaps, better known as a sinus infection, and nearly 31 million Americans get one each year. Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team further elaborates on this type of infection below, so keep reading! What Is Sinusitis? Sinusitis (sinus infection) is an inflammation of the tissue that lines the sinuses, which are the four paired cavities (spaces) in the head that are connected by narrow channels. Read on →

Yet another flu season is upon us, and it’s important to be careful this year in order to avoid a potential “twindemic” involving both the flu and COVID-19. During flu season, though, how are you supposed to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu when you start to feel under the weather? Our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team offers some helpful answers below, so keep reading. How Can I Know If I Have the Flu or COVID-19? Read on →

Ringworm is no fun, to say the least. Getting this type of rash is uncomfortable, but thankfully, it’s highly treatable and actually quite common. To learn more about this type of skin infection, read what our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team has to say below! What Is Ringworm? Ringworm is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It’s usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance—not because of the presence of an actual worm, thankfully. Read on →