Condition Lookup
Category:
HIV and Neurology
Number of Conditions: 3
HIV-Associated Multiple Mononeuropathies
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: HIV and Neurology
Symptoms:
asymmetric weakness; pain; sensory loss in affected nerve distributions
Root Cause:
Multifocal involvement of peripheral nerves due to HIV-induced immune dysfunction or opportunistic infections.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, EMG, and exclusion of alternative causes like vasculitis or diabetes.
Treatment:
Antiretroviral therapy (ART), management of opportunistic infections, and symptomatic pain control.
Medications:
Immunosuppressants (if immune-mediated), pain medications (gabapentin , amitriptyline ), and ART adjustments.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Less common than distal symmetric neuropathy; primarily observed in advanced HIV stages.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV, coinfections, and untreated immune dysfunction.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery depends on early detection and treatment; untreated cases may lead to significant disability.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent nerve damage and functional impairment.
HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND)
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: HIV and Neurology
Symptoms:
memory impairment; difficulty concentrating; slowed mental processing; behavioral changes; motor dysfunction
Root Cause:
Direct viral effects, chronic immune activation, and inflammation in the central nervous system due to HIV infection.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Neuropsychological testing, MRI or CT to rule out other causes, and clinical assessment of cognitive and functional impairment.
Treatment:
Effective ART, cognitive rehabilitation, and management of contributing factors like depression and substance use.
Medications:
Antiretrovirals with good CNS penetration (e.g., efavirenz or dolutegravir ) and adjunctive medications for symptomatic management, such as antidepressants or psychostimulants.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 15%-50% of people living with HIV, depending on disease stage and ART status.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Low CD4 count, high viral load, aging, co-infections, and substance abuse.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early ART initiation improves outcomes, but cognitive deficits may persist in some cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to dementia, reduced quality of life, and functional dependency.
HIV-Associated Vacuolar Myelopathy
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: HIV and Neurology
Symptoms:
progressive leg weakness; spasticity; numbness or tingling in the lower limbs; difficulty walking; bladder dysfunction
Root Cause:
Spinal cord degeneration caused by chronic HIV infection and inflammation, leading to vacuolar changes in the white matter.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, spinal MRI, and exclusion of other causes such as vitamin B12 deficiency or syphilis.
Treatment:
ART to control HIV, physical therapy for mobility issues, and symptomatic management of spasticity or bladder dysfunction.
Medications:
Antispasmodics (e.g., baclofen or tizanidine ) for spasticity and antiretrovirals for the underlying condition.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in up to 10% of untreated individuals with advanced HIV.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV, poor ART adherence, and low CD4 count.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive but may stabilize with effective ART; mobility can be significantly impacted.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Paraplegia, incontinence, and reduced quality of life.