HIV-related deaths became a reality in millions of South African households. Besides the obvious increase in mortality, there was a problem. The president said that the increase in deaths in the country was not as a result of HIV, because Statistics South Africa showed that only about 10 000 people died of HIV per year. This is because the incorrect cause of death information was reported by doctors on the death notification form. They reported the immediate cause of death – such as TB, pneumonia or gastroenteritis - without reporting HIV as the underlying cause. Or they reported euphemisms, such as “RVD”, “retroviral disease”, immune-deficiency” or “immuno-compromised”. RVD or retroviral disease is not coded to HIV - it is coded to “other retroviruses”.  And “immuno-compromised” or “immuno-deficiency” is coded to “immune disorders” rather than to HIV.