For most HIV patients, the progression of the disease to the advanced stage of AIDS is relatively slow and can take years. The Centers for Disease Control will not classify a person with AIDS until his CD4 count has dropped to less than 200 and he has had a history of AIDS-related illness. There are many symptoms or complications that arise during the advanced stages of AIDS, during which the CD4 count is so low it effectively shuts down the body's immune system.
Opportunistic Infections
When HIV severely damages the immune system, patients with advanced stages of AIDS develop many opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections are those caused by viruses and organisms that would rarely impact a person with a healthy immune system. Examples of opportunistic infections, according to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, are pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, mycobacterium avium complex disease, toxoplasmosis, candidiasis and the cytomegalovirus. According to the Microbiology Procedure website, cytomegalovirus leads to Kaposi's Sarcoma, the most common AIDS-related cancer. Antiretroviral therapies can successfully treat and, in some cases even prevent, opportunistic infections, and have helped extend the lives of thousands of AIDS patients.
Central Nervous System Lymphomas
Central nervous system lymphomas are malignant tumors that affect the brain and are symptomatic of advanced AIDS. These are usually associated with the herpes-related Epstein-Barr virus, according to the San Francisco AIDS foundation. Central nervous system lymphoma symptoms include headaches, seizures, speech and vision problems, paralysis and dementia.
AIDS Dementia Complex
AIDS dementia complex, also known as HIV-associated encephalopathy, is most common in patients with advanced AIDS or HIV, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Symptoms include brain inflammation, behavioral changes and cognitive decline that often results in difficulties with concentration, attention and memory functionality. As it progresses, motor function, dexterity and coordination become impaired. Over time, AIDS dementia complex is fatal when left untreated.
