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Editor’s Letter
What do you get when one HIV positive person and one HIV negative person fall in love? Magnetic love. Magnetic. It’s got a more sexy and romantic ring than its dry, clinical-sounding counterparts — serodiscordant and serodivergent. Discord, the opposite of harmony, has a negative connotation, and divergent means to extend in different directions, to differ. Magnetic suggests attraction, chemistry, sparks. In the case of magnetic couples, the romantic cliché “opposites attract” is literally true. However, many partners in mixed-status relationships find that they connect not due to their HIV status but rather in spite of it. Speaking with the four magnetic couples I had the privilege of interviewing for the cover story reminded me of another cliché: “Love conquers all” — even in the face of HIV. Without a doubt, magnetic better reflects these four couples. Thanks to all of them for sharing with us the ups and downs of magnetic relationships and for spreading the love. Especially to Sue, one of the women interviewed, for bringing the phrase magnetic love to our attention. Also in this issue: Five people with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) give kudos to their complementary therapies — from acupuncture for neuropathy to medical marijuana for nausea. HIV treatment guru Lark Lands gives a lesson on why it’s important to your immune health to avoid minor infections (colds, flus and sinusitis) and major ones (hepatitis) — and how to treat them if they do strike. And, just when you thought you’d heard everything about adherence, Derek Thaczuk gives his two cents on the topic, along with confessions and suggestions. Thanks in part to feedback from you, our readers, we’ve streamlined production of The Positive Side and moved to a cleaner design we hope will be easier to read. Please take some time to drop us a line by mail or at info@catie.ca — write a letter to the editor, tell us what you think about our new look, or pitch an article or idea to us. Even better, fill out the attached subscription card and have The Positive Side delivered to your doorstep twice a year for free. Share the magazine, share your stories.
Decisions about particular medical treatments should always be made in consultation with a qualified medical practitioner who is knowledgeable about HIV-related illness and the treatments in question. MORE Production of this Web site has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. |
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