Healthy Living

2025-2026 Flu/Covid vaccination season is now open for booking, earliest start day at Crystal Pharmacy is on Oct 16th There are 4 types of government-funded flu vaccines this year: Fluad, Fluzone, Fluviral, and Flumist. Fluad contains an adjunct that enhances the vaccine's effectiveness in creating antibodies, and is reserved ONLY for those aged 65 and older. Fluzone and Fluviral are available to children aged 6 months to 65 years and older (note: the pharmacy can only provi

What is Shingles? Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. As one ages and immune defense goes down, the virus remaining in the body from a past chicken pox infection may come out as shingles. The average lifetime risk for shingles is around 30%, most often occurring in people aged 50 or over. As one becomes older, the higher risk for shingles and the longer and severity the pain. The risk for getting shingles before age 85 can be as h

Summer is the perfect season to go out to nature and have fun. But while enjoying nature, mosquito bites can be very annoying. When...

sneezing and allergy season Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the nuisance of hay fever is back along with the beautiful...

What is Measles? 1,2,3,4 Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through air droplets.  The tiny droplets from...

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) 1, 2, 3, 4 Recently there has been a lot of buzz in the media about the RSV in the winters of 2022 and...

Sore throat pain can be very annoying. It hurts whenever you drink, eat or even speak. As a result, it decreases your appetite and quality of rest. Let’s see what can be done to alleviate the pain. First, we need to understand the pathophysiology, that is, what causes the disease to happen - sore throat. When the throat is under attack by virus (Covid, influenza), bacteria (Streptococcus), fungus (only in immunocompromised individuals), or allergens (pollen, dust), the super

As of June 1st this year, BC Ministry of Health had authorized pharmacists the authority to assess 21 minor ailments, and to prescribe...

In order to understand the medications for Parkinson's disease, one must first understand the pathophysiology of this disease Our neurons...

Introduction Even smokers are aware that smoking causes a lot of damage to our bodies. However, we all know that quitting smoking is not...

Diarrhea is something that everyone has experienced before. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can create an awkward situation when it...