You Have AIDS(2008, 5 min.)
	accordion, cello, elec. guitar, piano, drums with five spoken parts premiere: Yes is a World’s Body Soldiers Jan. 2008, Chicago performed by Josephine Lee and SKIM
additional performances: Opera On Tap/VisionIntoArt/Beth Morrison Productions 21c. Liederabend; Galapagos, Brooklyn NY, November 2009 performed by Isaiah Robinson and SKIM program notes: You have AIDS was performed as part of Yes is a World's BODY SOLDIERS. In this show, we explored the ways that black South Africans are using traditional choral music to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. Spearheaded by choral conductor Mollie Stone, we taught several traditional Xhosa and Zulu songs that have been adapted to directly address the pandemic to a choir from Chicago. The performance also included some of my music, including this piece. In this part of the performance, we examine the experience of a black South African man being diagnosed by a medical professional. The accompany music paints the ensuing confusion, shock, and perhaps the giant cultural divide between doctor and patient. listen:

text:
by Janina Morrison, M.D.

You have AIDS.

You can't believe it? Let me explain.

Your blood has tested positive for the antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus. Your blood was first tested by an enzyme immune assay known as the ELISA test. This demonstrated the presence of HIV antibodies and was then confirmed by a Western Blot test. These tests are extremely accurate.

Therefore, you are infected with HIV.

Your blood has also been tested for levels of the particular immune cells most affected by HIV, the t-helper cells, also known as CD4 cells. The number of CD4 cells in your blood is your CD4 count. Your CD4 count is 100. Any CD4 count below 200 is considered indicative of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

So, like I said, you have AIDS.

Am I going too fast? HIV. CD4. AIDS. Any questions?

You seem like maybe you'd like a bit more information.

The human immunodeficiency virus is an encapsulated single-stranded RNA retrovirus, coated with CD4 receptors which bind helper T cells of the human immune system, facilitated by coreceptors which strengthen the interaction. CD4. CCR5. CXCR4.

Because your CD4 count has fallen below 200, you are now at risk for infections that take advantage of your weakened immune system. These are called opportunistic infections and include tuberculosis, pneumocystis, Kaposi sarcoma, cytomegalovirus, candidiasis, aspergillosis, progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy, oral hairy leukoplakia, and toxoplasmosis.

Too much information? Well, how about some good news? Because your CD4 count is below 200 and you have come to our clinic, you are eligible for treatment. First you will receive vitamins. And bactrim, which protects you from some infections. And we encourage you to eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and protein-rich, low-fat meats. Even better, though, if you qualify for our internationally recognized, globally funded, cutting-edge, state of the art, developing world, low resource, research-oriented, potentially short term, possibly sustainable protocol, you may have the opportunity to receive anti-retrovirals.

These include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors like
nevirapine, also known as viramune
zidovudine, aka AZT
lamivudine, aka 3TC
stavudine, aka d4T
Also, possibly, protease inhibitors, such as
Idinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, fosemprinavir, atazanafir
You must be taking at least three drugs at all times to prevent mutation of the virus. You must take your three drugs every day. You must take the drugs at the same time each day. If you make mistakes with your drugs, your virus may become resistant to the drugs. Some of the drugs must be taken with food. Some of the drugs must be taken on an empty stomach. Some of the drugs will make you nauseous. Some of the drugs will make you feel full. Some of the drugs will make you gain weight. Some of the drugs will give you diarrhea. Some of the drugs will give you a headache. Some of the drugs will make you depressed.

If you do not take these drugs, you will die.