HIV Encethapolothy was my first Aids defining illness back in March 1996. Its diagnosed with an MRI Brain Scan using contrast..This showed extensive Brain damage by the HIV virus and as a result of this, I was put on 1000mg of AZT and Didanosine(DDI) twice daily. Today I remain with short term memory loss, however my Doctor said I would have been in permanent vegatative state, if I hadnt started treatment back in March 1996. Today, if you are taking your medication as soon as your diagnosed, and become undetectable , then you will not be at risk of HIV dementia. Thats why its so important to start treatment early, as HIV crosses into the Brain fairly quickly after being infected. Once you have HIV Dementia/Encephalopathy its much harder to treat.

@A myHIVteam Member & @A myHIVteam Member & @A myHIVteam Member. WOW, what a fascinating and horrifying consequence of an immune system crippled by HIV infection! JC virus, and the disease it causes (PML) were new to me. Upwards of 90% of the human population worldwide carries the virus. It can be used to identify individuals and the groups of people to which they belong. Only in severe cases of immune compromise does it produce a wide array of neurological symptoms. It is described as a rapid form of MS to which upwards of 50% of people don't survive. A normally harmless virus that infects nearly everyone becomes a lethal monster in people with immune systems wrecked by HIV. It could possibly play a part in people whose neurological problems were never linked to a specific disease. Incredible! Thanks.

PS: Wikipedia has info on both JC virus and PML.

I work in the only level one trauma center in 6 counties and have been in the medical field since 1979. Though I deal with pain and disability every second of every day I work to help others and I will never regret a single minute.

Correlation however isn't causation. The fact that HIV wasn't always found in brain tissues in affected individuals suggests considerable more research is needed. We're in the ballpark but still learning it appears.

I did not see reference to treatment. So it seems excessive to endure a lumbar puncture for a "maybe" with no clear causation nor treatment.

Definitely a reason to get tested, and get an HIV infection controlled with AVT. Many problems associated with HIV come from advanced disease where people are unaware of their infection. HIV has slipped out of the limelight, and people mistakenly think it is no longer a worry. Awareness is crucial to mitigation.

PS: If you control the virus, your immune system will handle the rest.