Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times - Sunday, 22 August, 2004
Sunter says the vast majority of HIV-positive people were infected during the mid- to late-1990s, and it takes six to eight years for HIV to develop into full-blown Aids.
Citing statistics from the Medical Research Council, Sunter says there are now more deaths among the 25-39-year-old section of the population than among people over 65. These figures cannot simply be explained by increased reporting of deaths.
Sunter warns that the epidemic can last a generation - unlike other viruses that kill within weeks. "This is a long-haul epidemic."
Of concern is that society's response to issues such as smoking and global warming proves that "we are not good at responding to gradual threats", Sunter says.
However, the incentive for businesses to make an effort to deal with the problem is the cost impact of HIV/Aids.
Costs include reduced labour productivity, increased absenteeism and rising employee benefits such as medical aid and pensions.
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