 | ||
   | ||
Email
Glossary |
|
Brain function Jul 11, 2003 I've heard that HIV directly affects the brain. Is this a fatal condition? |
||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
| Response from Dr. Horwath
 No, HIV's effects on the brain do not directly lead to fatality, but may have important consequences on a person's ability to function. People who develop serious cognitive impairment (slowed down thinking, memory problems, problems in calculating, etc.)due to HIV certainly do need evaluation and treatment, but fatality due to AIDS almost always occurs due to a failure of the immune system, not due to the effects on the brain. The single most important factor in increasing survival in HIV infection has been the development of the HAART cocktails. These medications, when taken reliably, have dramatically reduced mortality due to AIDS. They have also reduced the likelihood of serious central nervous system complications due to AIDS, including severe cognitive impairment. | ||||||||
 Get Email Notifications When This Forum Updates or Subscribe With RSS
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Q&A TERMS OF USE
This forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not rendering medical, mental health, legal or other professional advice or services. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, mental health, legal or other problem that requires advice, consult your own caregiver, attorney or other qualified professional.
Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Review our complete terms of use and copyright notice.
