Q: How does one disclose your HIV/AIDS
status to people close to you?
— Themba Langa, Cape Town
A: There are many ways. Joe Manciya of the National Association of People Living with Aids (Napwa) says, ‘Disclosure is a process, it is not a one-off eventâ€. First test the reaction of a person by referring to a friend diagnosed as positive. If the person does not express support, you will know he or she is not ready to accept disclosure.
When you disclose to your partner, Manciya recommends that you ‘make sure s/he is relaxed. Privacy is important.â€
Napwa encourages people to disclose. Manciya says, ‘People who keep their problems inside and who are not open die sooner. We have members who have been living positively with the virus for 10 years.â€
Q: I would like to know why some companies are interested in blood tests because this hinders those of us who are HIV-positive.
Secondly, please tell me where I can get African potato, Moducare and leaves of the cancer bush because I wish to treat myself. At present I am taking HIV treatment from my doctor but still my body doesn’t show any health.
— Jackie, Thoyandou
A: Firstly, a company is not allowed to test your blood without your permission, and definitely not for HIV. It is illegal. If a company asks you for such a test then complain to the Department of Labour so they can take action against that company if necessary.
As to the treatments you ask about, Moducare is available at any chemist. The African potato grows wild. However, it is also available in tablet form. If you take Moducare, you don’t need the African potato as well, and vice versa.
Ask a local nursery if they have cancer bush plants and plant one in your garden and care for it. Use the leaves in your cooking.
Contact telephone numbers:
– HOPE worldwide: (011) 984 9819
– Targeted Aids Intervention
(for school children): (033) 386 3475
– Napwa: (011) 720 3349