AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the last phase of HIV, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines AIDS as having a positive HIV-antibody test and either a CD4 lymphocyte count of below 200 or a diagnosis of an opportunistic infection that only happens when an individual's immune system is impaired.
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kaposi's sarcoma, or KS, is a type of skin cancer that creates red and purple lesions on the skin and mucous membranes in the mouth, anus or nose, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. It can also spread to other organs like the lungs. KS in individuals with AIDS spreads quickly because of the impaired immune system and tends to recur after treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy are all used to treat KS.
Pneumocystis Carinii
Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic infection that typically occurs when the CD4+ T cell count falls below a certain level, according to UCSF Medical Center. It is caused by a fungus that invades the lungs, and symptoms can include fever, cough, trouble breathing, fatigue and night sweats. A drug called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or Bactrim, may be prescribed to treat this condition, as well as other medications like dapsone or atovoquone.
AIDS Dementia Complex
AIDS dementia complex, or ADC, is the more advanced form of HIV-associated dementia, says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS. ADC includes a range of symptoms, including inflammation of the brain, behavioral changes, trouble concentrating, loss of coordination and progressive slowing of motor function. If ADC is not treated, it can be fatal, and if an individual is taking anti-retroviral medication to treat an AIDS infection, this diagnosis is rare. Once ADC is diagnosed, aggressive treatment with anti-retroviral drugs is used to lower the amount of virus in the body, according to NINDS.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection not typically seen in individuals with healthy, functioning immune systems but is one of the most frequently seen opportunistic infections in individuals with AIDS, according to AIDS Infonet. It is caused by the parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in cat feces, soil and raw vegetables. In an immuno-compromised person, toxoplasmosis can cause an infection in the brain, fever, confusion, seizures, personality changes and poor coordination. Once diagnosed via a CT scan or MRI, it can be treated with pyrimethamine, distributed under the brand name Daraprim, and sulfadiazine.
