AIDS dementia complex – AIDS Encephalopathy

Description of the complex AIDS dementia

AIDS dementia complex may occur in humans, AIDS cases. It is characterized by changes in many neurological areas:

• Cognition – reduced ability perceive, handle, and remember information;
• Behavior – difficulty in carrying out daily tasks;
• Emotional state – may be personality changes and depression;
• Eye coordination – difficulty coordinating muscle movements.

AIDS dementia complex – nervous system common complication of HIV infection a late stage.

Causes AIDS dementia complex

While the exact mechanism is unknown, which leads to AIDS dementia complex (KSD).

Risk Factors AIDS dementia complex

Risk factors include:

• The presence in the body of HIV;
• Late-stage AIDS.

The symptoms of AIDS dementia complex

Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time. It occurs in several stages:

Phase 1 (soft)

• Difficulty concentrating;
• Difficulty remembering details (eg, phone numbers, meetings, tracking daily activities);
• Slow thinking;
• To perform complex tasks need a longer time, than usual;
• Irritability;
• Staggering, tremor, or difficulty maintaining balance;
• Poor coordination;
• Changes in handwriting;
• Depression.

Phase 2 (average)

• Muscular weakness;
• Poor concentration and attention;
• Slow speech and answers to questions;
• The feeling of indifference or apathy;
• The slowness or difficulty in daily activities (eg, eating, letter);

At this stage, walking, balance, coordination of movements require a lot of effort.

Steps 3 and 4 (severe and terminal stage)

• Loss of control of the bladder or bowel;
• Spastic gait;
• Muteness;
• Psychosis or mania;
• Recumbent mode.

The presence of the above symptoms are not always indicative of the presence of AIDS dementia complex. These symptoms may be caused by other disorders.

Diagnosis of AIDS dementia complex

Diagnosis includes the following tests:

• Mental status / neurological examination – It is the primary way to diagnose and evaluate the AIDS dementia complex. It is designed to identify problems with memory, concentration, abstract thinking, and emotional state.
• MRI or CT (CT scan) – they are used, to rule out other causes of the symptoms of AIDS dementia complex, such as:
  • Toxoplasmosis;
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML);
  • Lymphoma;
• Poyasnichnaya puncture – as CT or MRI is used to detect other diseases;
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) assigned, to identify, Does the symptoms of a heart attack.

Treatment of AIDS dementia complex

Treatment may involve the following procedures:

Antiretrovirusnaya therapy

Anti-HIV Drugs commonly used, to treat AIDS dementia complex. These drugs are often taken in combination with other drugs. They may include:

• Antipsychotics;
• Antidepressants;
• Uspokaivayushtie drugs;
• Stimulants;
• Mood stabilizers;
• Drugs to prevent seizures.

Prevention of AIDS dementia complex

CSD occurs in people with HIV. To reduce the risk of HIV infection, necessary:

• Abstain from casual sex;
• Use condoms;
• Limit the number of sexual partners;
• Avoid sexual partners with HIV or injecting drug users;
• Always use disposable needles for injecting drugs;
• Avoid unscreened blood transfusions.

Healthcare professionals should:

• Wear appropriate gloves and facial masks during all procedures;
• Carefully handle used needles;
• Adhere to universal precautions.

If you have a family must be living with HIV:

• Wear suitable gloves, Handling of HIV-infected body fluids;
• Closing wounds and cuts at and HIV-infected;
• Do not have a common personal care products (eg, razors, toothbrushes);
• Carefully handle used needles after the administration of drugs to the patient.