AIDS and the Common Man

  1. James F. Burris, MD
  1. Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007. Requests for Reprints: James F. Burris, MD, NE 120 Med-Dent, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007.

    Johnny was my first patient on the day after New Year's. He had made a marginal living scalping tickets and driving a tow truck for an auto repossession company. In his younger days he had been addicted to alcohol and downers, but when he tried speed once he developed severe chest pain. The resulting hospital evaluation revealed severe hypertension, which brought him to me 2 years ago. About 6 months after his initial visit, Johnny asked me to help him find a dentist for his friend Lindaa dentist who would accept HIV-infected patients.

    Linda was an IV heroin user. While imprisoned on a prostitution conviction she had been subjected to mandatory HIV testing and had tested positive. Johnny found a lawyer who would take Linda's case, and they sued the city to provide AZT for her in prison. When she finished …

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    1. Ann Intern Med May 15, 1993 vol. 118 no. 10 819
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