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The Nurse is in

Monday: 8:30am-12:30pm - Nurse Jane Tue-Wed-Fri: 8:30am-12:30pm - Nurse Helen
SHINGLES About one third of people develop shingles during their lives.  Characterized by painful, blistering rash. It is caused by the same herpes virus, varicella zoster, that causes chicken pox. After you have that childhood disease, the virus stays dormant in your body and can re-emerge years later to cause shingles. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that reduces the risk of developing shingles by as much as two thirds and reduces the severity of an outbreak if one does occur. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) recommends the shingle vaccine for people ages 60 and older. It is covered by most private insurance companies and by Medicare Part D, the federal drug program for people over 65. Helen Biancani RN, BSN Source: Wellness Letter (University of California, Berkley)
FLU VACCINE UPDATE Influenza is serious, and anyone, including healthy people can get it and spread it.  Flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. Vaccinating can start as early as September and protection will last all winter.  It takes about two weeks to kick in.  Flu typically starts circulating in November. The Senior Center will have our Annual Flu Clinic sometime in October.  Keep your eyes open for the date in the October Newsletter. Helen Biancani, RN
BASIL SKIN CANCER Basal cell skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of skin cancer.  It arises in the basal layer of the skin, the bottommost layer.  It does not spread to other organs but it can bore deeply into tissue beneath the skin.  Having one basal cell cancer puts a person at risk for an- other.  Ultraviolet light is another risk (used in tanning salons). The best treatment is prevention.  Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin and reapply it often.  Any unusual or changing skin lesions should be checked by dermatologists or primary physician.
Thur: 8:30 am-12:30 pm - Nurse Julie