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‘Tis the season for hot cocoa, cozy fires, and – unfortunately – germs. Whether you’re shopping at the mall or waiting at the airport on your way to visit relatives, you’re likely spending more time indoors and around crowds – the perfect recipe for viruses to spread. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but the hustle and bustle of the holidays also means it’s the season for stress. And that can take a toll on your mental and physical health. If you're feeling anxious, taking care of yourself should be at the top of your holiday list. It’s one of the most important things you can do this time of year, for yourself and for your friends and family.

It's no surprise that students of all ages can be exposed to germs and cold symptoms at school. Teachers and school staff do all they can to keep illness at bay, but kids often catch bugs from their classmates. Bringing a cold home can quickly be passed on to siblings or parents at home.

With the holidays fast approaching, a ton of delicious food will be at your fingertips. But with food allergies, forgetful cooks, and eyes that are bigger than your stomach, you never know when a hearty meal could cause unfortunate side effects. 

Here are some of the top food safety tips you should consider for the holidays -- and what to do when something goes wrong. 

Now that winter is right on our heels, the threat of catching a cold is more prominent than ever. Since we spend so much time indoors at this time of year, it means we will also be stuck cohabiting with a bunch of sick people at school and work.

When a cold, flu or other illness is wearing you down and you want to get better fast, is an antibiotic the answer? Generally not, say most medical experts. In fact, an antibiotic could do more harm than good. When you visit an Immediate Clinic urgent care, you may not be given an antibiotic -- and for good reason. 

It’s Saturday morning. You’ve decided to take your family to a local restaurant for lunch before attending a birthday party that afternoon. We all know kids can’t party on an empty stomach. But then you remember – Saturdays at your favorite eatery are busy and to get the table and time you want, you book your lunch reservation online.

Ever wonder where you should go for medical treatment? Many people turn to urgent care clinics when they need medical attention. With convenient hours, short wait times and the freedom to walk in without an appointment, urgent care centers are perfect for people who lead busy lives and need prompt treatment for a minor illness or injury.

When you think of an urgent care center, you likely think of patients who have suddenly been injured while cooking or those who come down with nasty cold symptoms. While urgent care clinics certainly treat these types of ailments, they also provide a variety of services of which many people aren't aware. 

The spookiest holiday of the year is just around the corner and kids across the country are gearing up for a night of collecting as much candy as their buckets can hold. While Halloween scares normally come in the form of ghoulish ghosts and creepy creatures, some of the holiday's biggest dangers are a bit more human.

When winter ended and the sun finally began to shine again in spring, you were armed with medications and tissues to tackle allergy season head-on. But fall allergies can be just as severe as their spring counterparts. If you find yourself constantly sniffling when the leaves start to change, you might be experiencing fall allergies.

Every year, the beginning of flu season is marked by repeated reminders encouraging people to take the proper precautions to avoid catching the virus. While getting a flu shot is quick and easy, the first step of remembering to do it early enough can be the hardest part.