Readers respond to past columns
DEAR READERS: Our mailbox continues to overflow with questions from readers regarding past columns.
Frequent bouts of strep throat: Martha, a reader whose family had an unexpected experience with the bacterium, wrote:
“One of our children got repeated and frequent strep infections. Finally, the pediatrician suggested we test the whole family, and we found we had a carrier — our then-toddler, who had no symptoms at all.”
The toddler is an example of what is known as an a symptomatic carrier, a host for a bacterium or a virus who is not adversely affected. People who come into contact with the carrier can become infected and fall ill. Strep, typhus, C-difficile, norovirus, EpsteinBarr and even HIV are just a few examples of infectious agents that have been found in individuals with no outward symptoms.
Help for the pain and itching of genital herpes: Although there is no cure for herpes, there are several antiviral medications that can curtail the length of an outbreak by several days, if taken at the first sign of symptoms. The antivirals acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir are prescription-only. People living with herpes who have frequent outbreaks sometimes opt for suppressive therapy (a daily antiviral).
For localized symptoms like pain, over-thecounter pain relievers can be helpful. As for itching, an intriguing study found that ointments and creams containing propolis, a resin-like substance made by honeybees, was more effective than both a placebo ointment and a topical treatment containing the antiviral acyclovir.
Coconut oil for Alzheimer’s: One of the theories behind the idea is that the brains of Alzheimer’s patients can’t break down glucose and that certain properties of coconut oil provide an alternative energy source.
Although the use of coconut oil has indeed shown promise in several small clinical trials, the benefits remain largely anecdotal. In the meantime, remember that it is a saturated fat. Depending on your daily diet, its use may require you to make corresponding adjustments.
Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and associate professor of medicine at UCLA Health.