We received a letter from Isaac Mashabe of Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. He writes that HIV/Aids is a punishment from God because pastors of some African churches give their own image to followers who pray before them. ‘God became angry and poured HIV/Aids and other bad diseases at the world. You must go to these bishops and negotiate with them to call upon their Christians to bring back all their idols and burn and bury them. I promise you after they have done that all the victims of disease will be cured.”
Mashabe is entitled to his religious belief. However, Aids will not be defeated until we change our sexual conduct, stick to one partner and be faithful — and that partner remains faithful to us. Before starting a sexual relationship with a person you should go with him or her for an HIV test so that you know your status and that of your partner. Still practise safe sex. It is a crime if you are aware that you are infected with HIV and still have unprotected sex with a person who may or may not be HIV negative. Respect yourself and respect others — after all, that is a key precept of all religion.
Martie de Wet, a registered dietician of the South African Sugar Association, wrote in arguing that there is no scientific
evidence that a diet for someone who is HIV positive should exclude sugar and sweetened foods. Sugar can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
In fact this is incorrect. A quick glance at just four reputable sources indicates:
* a diet that limits the intake of concentrated sugars and sweets can help with major nutritional problems due to malabsorbtion and diarrhoea often suffered by HIV-positive patients;
* candida is a common thrush infection among people with Aids. It is a fungus that can grow on the tongue, in the vagina or in the stomach. Candida feeds off sugar;
consuming sugar, alcohol, honey and too much sweet fruit should be avoided.
Have a look in Positive Health, issued free by Metropolitan Life, visit www.redribbon.co.za or call (021) 940 5772 for more on the negative effects of sugar.
If you have questions or comments for Charlene Smith, or comments, please write to the Teacher/Positive, PO Box 91667, Auckland Park 2006. All letters will be treated as confidential. For a personal answer please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope.