Neurological And Psychiatric Involvement
At the beginning of the last century a new health condition that is life threatening hit the news. Meandering out of the confines of Africa, HIV/AIDS became synonymous with the western world. However, in no time at all, this primarily sexually transmitted disease spread across the continents claiming lives year and after year. Today, even in spite of all the gigantic strides science and technology have made within the dictates of mankind, there remains no cure for the malady. This disease is onslaught of a viral infection that causes a break down of the human immune system.
Although there are many antiretroviral treatment options that are being introduced during various stages of the ailment, the same not only reduces the mortality rate of the patient but also the morbidity of the infection with very expensive and routine applications. To add to the sad case scenario is the fact that access to the medication is not something that all countries are equipped to address and handle, for various reasons. In the case of AIDS the age old adage that prevention is better than cure is the only way out. In order to control the HIV infection and AIDS pandemic, it is essential to address the promotion of safe sex and needle-exchange. This not only helps to slow down the spread of the virus that takes a toll on the immune system but also helps in research and effective treatment of the condition through the various stages.
There are a number of neurological and psychiatric symptoms that manifest in an HIV patient. The development of lymphomas, accompanied by fever and profuse sweating and swelling of glands are other common observations in patients suffering from HIV. The resultant weakness and sudden weight loss are all part of the neurological and psychiatric symptoms of AIDS. Not all the time is the prevalence of the infections and symptoms confined to the geographic area that the patient resides in. The other neuropsychiatric sequelae caused by the infection of the nervous system due to the HIV virus are also observed as results of direct consequence of the onslaught. Ailments like Toxoplasmosis take a toll on longevity and well being. This disease is caused by a parasite referred to clinically as Toxoplasma gondii.
The infection usually affects brain functions and brings on the onslaught of toxoplasma encephalitis. It also spreads and affects the functionality of the lungs and eyes. Another neurological and psychiatric symptom is seen in the development of Cryptococcal meningitis of the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord. This malady is caused due to the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and is accompanied by fever, fatigue, headache and nausea as also seizures that can be lethal if not treated in time. Another neurological and psychiatric symptom is the development of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. PML is a demyelinating condition that causes the destruction of the myelin sheath. This important and very delicate covering of the nerve cell axons impairs nerve impulse transmissions and severely weakens the immune system.