HIV-related Dementia (also known by several synonyms) usually occurs with advanced AIDS, though occasionally in earlier HIV disease if there’s a lot of virus in the blood (a very high viral load).ย The condition is not really like Alzheimer’s, because memory loss isn’t so bad compared to the extreme slowness of thought, speech, and movements.ย Patients look very depressed, but often deny feeling sad at all.ย
For a person seeking consultation for memory problems, if they have risk factors for HIV, or simply have never had an HIV test, one should be done.