title: The epidemiology and pathophysiology of HIV--as seen by a South African.
abstract: The HIV/AIDS epidemic is probably the greatest calamity to befall South Africa. Millions of South Africans and possibly a whole generation will be lost as a result. The health, socioeconomic and personal loss is difficult to quantify. In an attempt to bring this world-wide problem to a level that can be understood and assimilated, an imaginary town, Kalamatiefontein, has been created. The effects of HIV/AIDS as modelled for South Africa are extrapolated to this town. To illustrate the devastation that a diagnosis of HIV positivity brings to an individual, a young woman from this town is introduced and her story related. Her options in South Africa today are discussed and a general plea is made across the nation for solidarity on this issue.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit, UCT Lung Institute, Mowbray, South Africa. lgbekker@cormack.uct.ac.za
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bekker
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology