The last few weeks have been great. I have received a lot of correspondence from readers. A big thank you to all the readers and massive gratitude to all those who take time to drop me an e-mail. Being a columnist can be quite a lonely existence, how do I know if people are reading the column? Or what their reaction is to some of the things I say? I welcome questions, comments, praise (with a lot of humility) and criticisms (I had a lot of concerned readers on prayer and healing).
To clarify a few things, I always respond to every e-mail I get. Not all correspondence is published. Before I publish anybody’s correspondence I check with the reader if I can publish it and secondly I check with the correspondent whether they would like their name to be published or if I should remove any identifying information. Otherwise everything that is e-mailed to me is kept strictly confidential unless you, dear reader, authorise me to make it public.
So here are a few e-mails:
“Your passion in writing about this subject is what excites me….however, your sentiments about ‘prayer’ as a therapy in the management and treatment of Aids scratches my surface. To quote one Mr. Tindwa, prayer is like talking to oneself, hoping that someone is listening (God), only a scientific approach can bring relief and cure. Religion, whichever, faith in the supernatural is not our answer..” —AB
Response
One thing I have learnt when it comes to religion and worldview, one has to tread lightly or at least respectfully otherwise you risk the backfire effect where what you say (against prayer) only reinforces people’s beliefs (believing in prayer).
“What are the effects of alcohol when taking ARVs? Some companies from Far East Asia are advertising Baariz drug as a cure for HIV what would you comment. Is it fake or real?”–CD
Response
The effects of alcohol if one is on ARVs depend on the amount. Excessive alcohol use may negatively impact the effectiveness of the drugs in a number of ways. There is evidence that alcohol may interfere with the body’s metabolism of antiretroviral medications. Excessive alcohol use can lower efficacy levels of many ARVs. With some specific ARVs, drug (alcohol) to drug (ARV) interactions increases risks of side effects which can lead to other complications like pancreatitis and or damage to the liver. Alcohol abuse compromises the immune system this can lead to rapid disease progression – to Aids. It may also be harder to adhere to treatment by simply forgetting to take medication.
There is no evidence that Baariz works.
