Jersey Shore Pharmacy

56 Health & Wellness

The flu is a respiratory infection that’s caused by many different viruses. Up to one in five people get the flu in the U.S. each year.1 It comes on suddenly, causes worse symptoms than the cold and can be serious for some people. As you know, last year, a new strain of flu was thrown into the mix. Called swine flu at first, then H1N1, it caused symptoms similar to regular flu, such as fever, cough, aches, chills and fatigue.2 Did you get a flu shot last year? If you’re someone who’s always thought flu shots are just for your grandparents, think again. For the 2017-18 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that almost everyone get a flu shot. That is, everyone six months and older. These changes will simplify guidelines that have been confusing to many people. You should know that the new flu vaccine will include the H1N1 strain. Any shortage in vaccine supplies this season may slightly alter a plan to vaccinate everyone at once, however. In that case, the CDC may prioritize vaccines as it has in the past. It would first target people who are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu. This includes people who are 65 and older and pregnant women. Also, people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, would take priority. In addition, it is also important for those coming into close contact with these people to get vaccinated early.3 Now, if you’re pregnant, you may wonder if it is safe to get a flu shot. The short answer is, yes. However, this is not true if you have a severe allergy to eggs. That’s because the ingredients for flu shots are grown inside eggs. Also, you should not get a vaccine if you have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past. If you’re pregnant, request the flu shot, not the nasal spray vaccine. It is made from an inactivated virus. This makes it safe for you and your baby during pregnancy. Avoid trying to get pregnant for four weeks after a vaccination with a nasal spray vaccine.4 So, when should you get a flu vaccine? Now is a good time to start thinking about it. Flu season runs from November to April. Most cases hit between the

Health &Wellness Health & Wellness 53 end of December and early March. You can probably get the vaccine starting in September. It’s best to do it as early as possible so you can head off any infections “at the pass.” Getting the flu shot early gives your body It’s That Time Of Year Again…Should You Get A Flu Shot? ❄ What You Need To Know Cough And Cold Season Is Here— ❄Are You Ready? ❅ Believe it or not, cough and cold season is upon us. Our nights are becoming very cold and children have been back in school for about six months now. This is the season everyone dreads. It seems we see people with the sniffles everywhere—at work, at the mall and even at home. Now is the time to take some steps that time to build up immunity. This means it will protect will reduce your risk of catching a cold and stock up on things that you better against the flu.5 will help with the symptoms when the inevitable happens. If you haven’t gotten the vaccine by December or so, or if it hasn’t been available for some reason, still

You can reduce your risk of catching a cold or flu. go ahead and get it when you can. Remember that the Here are some helpful hints: nasal mist vaccine is only for healthy, non-pregnant

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY: This will help stop the people who are between 2 and 49 years old.5 spread of germs. Everything you touch potentially has cold germs on it— If you do develop cough and cold symptoms, stop doorknobs, handrails, pens, PIN pads, etc. Also, keep hand sanitizer easily in to see us. We can help you select the best over the accessible—keep it in your car and your desk at work. counter medications to help put you on the road to recovery. For more information, call 609-660-1111 or

REDUCE STRESS: Whenever a big day is coming up, or a deadline visit www.jerseyshore.pharmacy. you have been rushing to meet, you are more likely to become sick. Relax, your health is more important. Also, try to get at least eight hours of sleep per night. EAT WELL: Certain foods combat colds. Try to include as much of the If you do develop cough and cold symptoms, stop in to see us. following as possible in your diet: broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, onions, We can help you select the best over the counter medications to help citrus fruits, and whole grains. Some put you on the road to recovery. For more information, call evidence also exists supporting 609-660-1111 or visit www.JerseyShorePharmacyBarnegat.com. using vitamin C and Echinacea to boost your immune system.

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DRINK PLENTY OF WATER: Drinking plenty of water helps flush germs out of your body. Water also helps keep your mucous membranes moist, allowing them to trap the virus and dispose of it.

BREATHE FRESH AIR: Try to breathe as much fresh air as possible. Recycled, contaminated air can make you sick! Get outside as much as possible. Cold air will not give you a cold!

For the most part, everyone catches some degree of a cold at least once a year. Once you feel the symptoms coming on, then what? For starters, continue the above tips. Also, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (no one else wants your germs). And most importantly—

There are many cough and cold medications on the market that can help with your cold or cough symptoms. Decongestants in a pill form or a nasal spray can help with a stuffy nose. Antihistamines can help with itchy, watery eyes. Cough suppressants help control a nagging cough. Cough drops or throat lozenges help with a sore throat. Tylenol or Motrin can help any body aches or fever. Before taking any medications, please consult with your pharmacist or doctor to be sure the medication you are buying doesn’t aggravate any existing medical conditions or interact with any current medication you are taking. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Many over-the-counter cough and cold medications can cause adverse effects. Don’t be afraid to ask us, that is what we are here for.

Sources

1. MedlinePlus. “Flu.” http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ medlineplus/flu.html Stop by and see what a pharmacy experience should be! 2. MedlinePlus. “H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu).” http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlineplus/h1n1fluswineflu.html 3. Health Day. “Virtually Everyone Should Get a Flu Shot: CDC”http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/ fullstory_95735.html For more information, call 609-660-1111 or visit 4. MayoClinic. “Seasonal flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe?” http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/influenza/AN00651/ METHOD=print 5. Nemours Foundation. “Is the Flu Vaccine a Good Idea for Your Family?” http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/ body/flu_vaccine.html www.jerseyshorepharmacy WWW.JERSEYSHOREPHARMACY.COM

When I walked into my new apartment for the first time and saw the surreal view from the window, it took my breath away. I walked out to the deck and looked out towards the ocean and watched the waves flow back and forth. I was drawn to the ocean, the sound of the waves and the seagulls as they glided by. It brought me back. Back to a place I had spent years trying to forget.

As a child I had always lived by the ocean; the sounds and smells of the shore always brought me back to the abuse. I knew my brother loved me, but was this love? It started off with small things like an innocent game of playing house. I was the mom and he was the dad. “This is what mommies and daddies do,” he’d say, demonstrating with my Barbies how they should kiss and touch. Eventually the toys went away and our game of house turned into him on top of me, touching me in the living room, not uttering a word. The silence was deafening. I knew this was wrong, but he was loving me. This was love. Someone loved me.

One morning I went downstairs and saw my brother in the living room, where that awful green velvet couch was, that couch. I told him I wanted a new teddy bear. He told me that he probably couldn’t get me one on that particular day. That’s when I made my threat. If he didn’t get me the bear, I would reveal our secret to the world. He promised me he’d try. The next night, after I had fallen asleep, I woke up to screams. It was my mother crying and screaming for her son. The neighbor was over and had seen me come down the steps. She took me to her place and sat me down to tell me that my brother had killed himself.

For years I blamed myself, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that this was all out of my control. One day I was watching my daughter, who, at the time, was four years old, and it hit me. I was her age when it started, and seeing how innocent and vulnerable she was helped me realize I was not at fault. I couldn’t have been, because I was once her. A million mistakes later and years of therapy have helped me heal. I still have eons of healing to do, but I am a great work in progress.

I love my new apartment now. I embrace the past and have learned I cannot change it. Whenever I look out into the ocean and can see where the sky and water meet, I know there is something greater out there guiding me. What I experienced with my brother was not love, it was abuse. I know that now and the ocean no longer reminds me of the pain. It brings me hope. I have finally realized that the only way to forget was to remember...

X and O Rice Krispy Treats- A Fun Unique Craft For Kids

You will need: 1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated. • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using • 1 package JET-PUFFED Marshmallows cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into X and O shapes. Decorate with frosting and/or candies. Best if served the same day. • 6 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal Microwave Directions: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir • Canned frosting or decorating gel until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. • Food coloring Note: For best results, use fresh marshmallows. 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows. Diet, reduced • Assorted candies calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is the first Greek-letter sorority established by nine Black American college educated women in 1908, led by Ethel Hedgeman as a support network for women of color. Today, there are 1,026 chapters with over 300,000 members located in the United States of America including the District of Columbia as well as chapters in Liberia, Nassau, Bahamas, St. Croix, Germany, South Korea, St. Thomas, Bermuda, Japan, Ontario, Toronto, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

This year, on November 5th, 6th and 7th, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Kappa Omega Chapter of the North Atlantic Region celebrated 55 years of “Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service”.

When did Theta Kappa Omega Chapter come into existence? During the Fall of 1964, as a beacon mesmerized the Atlantic Ocean waves by a glistening sandy shore, twenty professionally polished Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® graduate women, scattered about Atlantic City, New Jersey and nearby vicinities commenced a group called the AKAettes. The group met at the Stanley Holmes Village in Atlantic City to organize a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The dream materialized on November 5, 1966 when Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® chartered Theta Kappa Omega Chapter. The chapter then became the second chartered Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority graduate chapter in the State of New Jersey. The trailblazing charter members were: LaRue Almond, Lucille C. Barbour, Alberta Bridgers, Laura W. DeShields, Bessie C. Duckett, Lethetta D. Forbes, Cecelia Hawkes, Juanita J. High, Marianna G. Hunter, Dorothy F. Johnston, Mabelle Laster, Margaret Lewis, Elaine Molock, Barbara Perkins, Mildred Parks, Rachel B. Shadding, Lenora Slade, Mary C. Smith, Alice Thompson and Ella Williams.

From its inception, Theta Kappa Omega has been committed to sisterhood, scholarship and service. In 1967, the innovative charter members began their “Service to All Mankind” by conducting a public meeting themed, “Service is the Key to Open Doors”. Programs and service for the remainder of the 1960’s included Miss Fashionetta Pageant, book scholarships and the “Many Faces of the African-American Woman”. The 1970’s projects included the “Ivy Ball”, NAACP Life Membership, Atlantic City Christmas Parade, a teenage drug awareness program, established book scholarships for Stockton University students, programs in senior facilities, sponsoring teenagers for the debutante cotillion, “Miss Calendar Girl” and “Babies on Parade”. The first annual scholarship fashion show was held Spring, 1986. In 1991 the chapter observed its 25th anniversary. The chapter sponsored an undergraduate chapter, Pi Chi, located at Stockton University in 1992. In 2010, the fashion show was renamed the “Beulah Elizabeth Burke Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show” to honor a founder, as well as her achievements while employed in Atlantic City. In 2016, the chapter celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The chapter has also collaborated in program and service projects with the Rescue Mission, Food Bank, Avanzar (formerly Atlantic County Women’s Center), City of Atlantic City, Center for Family Services, Sister Jean’s Kitchen, local telethons, health awareness and education programs, mentoring programs, Model United Nations, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Programs as well as hosting Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® North Atlantic Regional Conferences, Founders’ Days and Leadership Conferences.

Presently, Theta Kappa Omega Chapter is “Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service”. Under the guidelines of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Corporate Office, the chapter serves communities in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties focusing on five target areas: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Women’s Health Care and Wellness, Building Economic Legacy, The Arts and Global Impact Days. The chapter is also committed to a college admission program that supports student efforts to enter college.

The chapter has had the following presidents consecutively: Mabelle Laster, Laura W. DeShields, Cecilia Hawkes, Lethetta D. Forbes, Dorothy F. Johnston, Margaret Lewis, Jacqueline L.C. Brown, Peggy C. SmithJackson, Juanita J. High, Dianne Stalling, Theresa Corbitt-Wilson, Andrea Atkins Turner, Grace A. Burch, Courtney R. Mack and Shawn F. Phillips.

Theta Kappa Omega Chapter continues to excel as it exhibits the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. The sisterly spirit of the charter members still pervades the chapter humbly. Surely, the women who wear the salmon pink and apple green colors are women of distinction who have raised the bar professionally and broken glass ceilings by giving “SERVICE TO ALL MANKIND”.

Congratulations to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Theta Kappa Omega Chapter of Atlantic City, New Jersey on their 55th Anniversary!

Dr. Payal Patel is a New Jersey native and is very excited to join the private practice of Go Feet Podiatry, where she will be welcoming patients at office locations in Hammonton, Mays Landing, and Linwood. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University in biology and completed her podiatric medical degree at Temple University. She has completed her three-year surgical residency at Virtua Health in South Jersey. Dr. Patel is board qualified with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. She treats all ailments of the foot and ankle including simple and complex deformities, conservative and surgical intervention of traumatic injuries, forefoot and rearfoot reconstruction, minimally invasive surgery, ankle arthroscopy, diabetic limb salvage, wound care, and sports medicine. Dr. Patel has attended multiple conferences and workshops to keep her skills cutting edge. Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and interior designing. For more information, call 609-704-9001.

Shannon Brown is a realtor at Clayton & Clayton Relators in Bay Head and is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Scott Brown. They have two sons, ages six and two, which is a large part of the reason that Shannon was drawn to CASA. Shannon expressed feeling helpless knowing there were children out there that needed the stability and love that her children were able to receive.

Shannon said, “The children CASA advocate for have been through so much in their lives and had a level of inconsistency that no child should. It is truly fulfilling when the child realized they can trust their CASA after seeing them consistently showing up with a smile. I look at it as a privilege to be able to be a part of their lives as well as a huge responsibility to report my findings to the court.” Last year, Shannon had the opportunity to see her CASA child be adopted by a loving family and has already begun advocating for another family. Shannon works tirelessly advocating for her CASA children and is a great role model for other CASA volunteers as well as women in general.

Ms. Eve Cortes is an American Philanthropist, Captivating Speaker and Business-woman born in Isabella Puerto Rico. Ms. Cortes immigrated to the U.S. mainland from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico at the age of 5. Since a very young age her parents instilled within her the importance of faith and doing the right thing.

Early in her younger years she had an experience which would change her life forever. Ms. Cortes was subjected to sexual abuse by her brother and shortly after she told her brother she was going to disclose what he had done, he committed suicide at the age of 16, The emotional scars that were imprinted upon Ms. Cortes at a young age left her questioning what and why things had occurred in the way they had. She not only had to deal with the trauma of being sexually abused as a child but also had to grieve the loss of her older brother. The agony of her life experiences with her brother and her very public recantment of her story sent shockwaves throughout the family who had supported her however did not want to make public the ordeal. In 2014 Ms. Cortes after establishing herself as a successful entrepreneur owning and operating several tax offices and serving as a highly successful bilingual business woman she decided to start a foundation dedicated towards bringing awareness to children that were victims of sexual abuse named Crossroad for Angels. Since then Crossroad for Angels has cemented itself as a pillar of hope for the hopeless and a voice for all children and the adult survivors who have deep seated wounds and scars. Ms. Cortes has developed quite a reputation and caring for others is at the core of everything she does. Ms. Cortes lives in South Jersey with her children and is involved in charity work and is currently a Realtor associate as well as Ordained Minister, in her downtime Ms. Cortes enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and walking on the seashore while looking at picturesque views of the sunset.

Briana is the Director of Enlightened Farm and leads horticulture programs for clients of Enlightened Solutions, a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment center, and residents of Serenity Houses, SUD recovery housing. After receiving her BA in Political Science and Public Health from The Catholic University of America, Briana moved to Washington State and joined a social justice community where she worked with at risk populations to improve health disparities. Briana tragically lost her brother Matthew to addiction in 2017 and shortly thereafter returned home to join The Hansen Foundation. She loves fostering the healing relationship between people and nature. She is Vice President of C.R.O.P.S., a local non-profit working towards a more accessible and equitable food system. She is also team facilitator for the Food Democracy Collaborative (FDC), a think-tank that works with NJ universities and colleges that improve the food system in our state. Briana also leads the Young Adult Initiative for AC Pride, a program and outreach organization for LGBTQ Pride Month.