[...] this vaccination is often recommended for younger age groups if there are risk factors such as heart disease, cancer or a weakened immune system. There are many deaths associated with the disease, primarily in the elderly or in those with compromised immune systems. Since the influenza virus is always changing, a yearly vaccination for all ages is recommended (generally given in the fall). DTaP/Tdor Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis is a vaccine containing protection against three different bacterial diseases. Diphtheria is an infection resulting in high fevers, cough, sore throat and breathing difficulties. Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread by blood or body fluids including sharing of needles when injecting drugs, oral contact with contaminated items of infected individuals and unprotected sex with someone infected with the virus. Since 1988, most children have received a three shot immunization against the virus. HPV (human papilloma virus) is a sexually transmitted virus which can cause cervical cancer in women. [...] there are some potential side effects with all immunizations as well as some contraindications to those wishing to have these vaccines based of medical history, current medications or immune status.

Recently, a major national drug store chain announced a plan to expand its scope of services from selling prescriptions, over the counter drugs and other retail items, to now providing actual patient health care, including diagnosing and treating of patients with acute and chronic medical conditions. [...] many physicians see the entry of drug store chains into the primary care business as direct competition, however, more importantly, physicians are concerned that the doctor/patient relationship would be jeopardized by these services and quality of care will be compromised. [...] there are many other serious issues to consider when a patient seeks care at one of these clinics. [...] some patients have a poor understanding of their medical history and may not be able to properly explain previous diagnosis and treatments. [...] there is a perceived conflict of interest if a patient is prescribed a medication at these clinics and then asked to take the prescription to the store counter to be filled.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a wonderfully versatile, a very low maintenance star ingredient with which to work. When paired with high fiber quinoa only three points per half-cup! and lean chicken, you get a low-fat, low-calorie highly protein packed meal that will send your taste buds soaring. Prepare additional chicken and save for leftovers (perhaps a sandwich for tomorrow's lunch?) Spread on a wrap/roll for a mayo-free addition to your deli meat or veggie burger. Um, I didn't do that, but if I did happen to shovel it in my mouth while standing over the kitchen counter, I can imagine it would've been delicious. 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 oz. (about 1/4 cup) non-fat feta cheese Grease a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray and place peppers on top. Drop Greek yogurt into the bowl of your food processor. Sprinkle in garlic salt, onion powder, paprika and lemon juice. Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and place chicken inside.

[...] here are some tips that will help you to add to the wonderful energy that spring gives us. Think about the clutter in your work and personal life, as well as your mental space. Clean out your purse, get rid of old emails and voice mails, organize files, throw away dead flowers. A calendar gives you a way to be accountable for your own time and provides a sense of how much time various tasks will take. Others are more complex, require more time and more thinking. [...] leave the quick-hit to-dos on your list.

Spring had arrived on a smile from Jupiter and an entire nation now rushed outside like children escaping school at the final bell. In a time of tangled earphones, bent heads glued to smartphones and castrated dinner conversation, I was gambling that these trips might yield some precious memories and a chance to sow a few seeds of wonder. The children had almost forgotten what it was like to be lashed to the same mast -- an ancient mariner and his apprentice sailing together across a deep strait of water far from the distractions and conveniences of home. For a nation whose debt makes the USA's fiscal cliff appear more like a children's slide, the Italians seem to shrug off the mounting complexities of their excesses and roll their eyes at the austerity measures that must now reshape public and social policy if Italy wants to remain a part of the euro and the European Union. For many, taxes and debt are a way of life, and with a government that has the life expectancy of a housefly, it seems useless to spend a sunny day worrying about the horizon line clouds. To make matters worse, there is no government because the Italian Parliament cannot agree on a coalition that would be legitimate enough to preside over anything other than a food fight. Gas is $11 a gallon, but the biggest complaint is over the use of a new Autostrada digital camera system designed to photograph and fine the nation's notorious speeders. Imagine a wife's surprise as she opens the mail to spy a ticket and photograph of her husband and an unknown younger woman near Sorrento when he was supposed to be north in Bologna on business. Most like me, are just hoping he might share the remaining secret of Fatima, which might provide a hint as to whether the Jets might make it back to the Super Bowl, or the GOP will take back the White House.

Combine the two in beer ads on television; show very attractive, sexy people having lots of fun or cute lizards and frogs saying funny things and you have advertising campaigns that have proven over the years to be incredibly successful. Whether it's the Swedish Bikini Team parachuting from the sky bringing six packs of beer with them, the ultimate male fantasy come true; a group of friends saying "Waz Up?" over and over again; or a couple of lizards making us laugh as they talk about partying, drinking is portrayed as cool, fun and the popular thing to do. People getting sick all over themselves, drunk driving accidents and date rape -- all possible consequences of drinking -- run counter to the image advertisers want to portray. In 2002, every parent's worst nightmare came true for the Viscome family of Harrison, N.Y. On April 23, school dismissed early because of a power failure and a group of students got together for an afternoon beer bash at the house of a student whose parents were out of town. Sadly enough, three weeks ago, another drinking party took place in Harrison and a young man ended up putting his hand through a plate glass window after becoming very angry during an argument about that day's football game. Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for America's young people, and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined; every year an average of 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die of alcohol-related injuries, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and the health and social problems that excessive alcohol consumption can cause for individuals, their families and their communities, and to encourage people to make healthy and safe choices. Barry Halpin is a prevention specialist for Liberation Programs, a substance abuse health-care agency based in Stamford that provides substance abuse counseling to adolescents and their families in Darien.

Put yourself in the emergency responder's role -- police, fire or EMS -- and see how difficult the task becomes. Precious time is lost every day when public safety personnel try to locate an address and all they see are blank mailboxes staring back at them. Please keep in mind seasonal factors such as trimming back weeds or bushes and snow and ice in the winter to keep those numbers visible for approaching vehicles.

Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be featured at this free event. Pup Jack Rescue, which is based in Darien, will be on hand featuring various breeds of dogs, although their speciality is German shepherds. Adoption fees start at $50 for cats and $85 for dogs. Why spend hundreds of dollars for a pet shop animal when hundreds of dogs and cats are looking for a home at Pet Super Adoption?

Many individuals with high blood pressure do not know they have hypertension until it is discovered during a routine medical examination. Few experience any symptoms, however when symptoms do occur they may include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain or altered vision. Untreated, high blood pressure can lead to many serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. Blood pressure is the force of a pump (the heart) squeezing fluid (blood) against a fixed resistance (the diameter of the blood vessels). When they hear your heart beat he/she will record that number (the "systolic" blood pressure -- the "top number") and when your heart beat sound disappears, he/she records that number (the "diastolic" blood pressure -- the "bottom number"). Weight loss can result in decreasing the pressure exerted on the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. Salt has been shown to increase fluid retention which may raise blood pressure. Yoga and meditation are a few relaxation techniques helpful in reducing stress and lower blood pressure. Side effects may include dizziness and a rapid heart rate. Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) works in the kidney by blocking a chemical which then dilates the artery diameter. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth and fatigue. Side effects may include frequent urination, dehydration and electrolyte (sodium, potassium) depletion.

Ironically enough, despite how much we talk about valuing our privacy -- and it is a common mantra these days -- we tend to act inconsistently, according to the research of Alessandro Acquisti, a behavioral economist at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. In our "Twilight Zone" hi-tech world, where increasingly more and more businesses are trying to get us to reveal as much data as possible about ourselves -- the more data, the better they can market to us -- I willingly submit for your perusal what I consider to be the relevant data of my life since my last column. When I lived in London, having a woman in a coffee shop say, "What can I get for you, love," was music to my ears. Philippe Jernnard, who was charged with impersonating a pilot at Philadelphia International Airport, after airline officials found him in the cockpit of a plane scheduled for takeoff; Steven Tyler from Aerosmith; and George, by Thomas Hamlin, the drummer in the band Black 47. Tell me I look like a musician and you have a better chance of me listening to your sales pitch. Over the years, I have also seen him with "Rank & File" at Madame Wong's in Los Angeles and with a rock violinist and cellist at The Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport.