• NeuroHIV is a general term for nervous system problems that people living with HIV may experience. 
• NeuroHIV can affect:
  • The brain
  • The spinal cord
  • The nerves in your body

• About half of people living with HIV experience some form of NeuroHIV. 

• The most common types of NeuroHIV are:
  • Neuropathy: This usually involves numbness, tingling, pain, or burning sensations in the feet or hands. This is because of nerve damage.
  • HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND): This involves problems with memory and thinking. This is because of HIV in the brain. 
• Severe conditions like encephalitis and meningitis can also occur. 
  • These involve inflammation or infection in the brain and spinal cord. 
  • However, these conditions are rare, especially for those who are receiving regular HIV treatment. 

• People with NeuroHIV may have any of the following:
  • Forgetfulness, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or headaches
  • Depression, anxiety, loss of interested, or behavior changes
  • Problems with movement, walking, or coordination
  • Numbness, tingling, pain, or burning sensations

Not everyone with NeuroHIV will experience all of these symptoms.

• Many different things can affect brain and nerve health in people living with HIV. These include: 
  • The HIV virus: HIV can enter the brain and damage brain cells and nerves by releasing toxins. 
  • Inflammation: If the body’s immune system has been fighting HIV for a long time, it causes inflammation that can negatively impact the nervous system. 
  • Opportunistic infections: If an immune system is weakened by HIV infection, other infections have a greater impact on the body. 
  • Aging
  • Stress
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

• HIV treatment: Take HIV medication as prescribed. 
  • Having an undetectable viral load can decrease the risk of NeuroHIV. An undetectable viral load means that HIV is not actively replicating or making new copies of itself. 
• Brain health: Brain health can be supported by:
  • Eating well (such as the Mediterranean diet)
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Exercising regularly
  • Staying mentally and socially active
  • Managing stress
  • Limiting alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
• Other health conditions: Manage diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other health conditions.