What are HIV neurological disorders?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that damages cells in the immune system. This results in those affected being susceptible to serious illness due to everyday infections and disease.
As more damage is caused a number of neurological complications can occur such as:
- Dementia
- Viral infections
- Fungal and parasitic infections
- Neuropathy which is damage to the nerves in the body
- Vacuolar myelopathy in which tiny holes develop in the fibres of the nerves of the spinal cord
- Psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression
- Lymphomas which are a type of cancerous tumour
What causes HIV neurological disorders?
HIV neurological disorders develop in the advanced stages of HIV and are a result of damage to the immune system. They can also be caused by the drugs that attempt to control the spread of HIV.
What are the symptoms of HIV neurological disorders?
The symptoms of HIV neurological disorders may include:
- Forgetfulness or confusion
- Weakness that gradually gets worse
- Changes to behaviour
- Headaches
- Difficulties with balance and coordination
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of sensation in the limbs
- Mental health problems
