HIV infections of the central nervous system. What are the nursing implications?

HIV disease attacks people without regard to age, race, gender or socioeconomic status, and the number of people affected continues to increase. The increased incidence of disease and increased length of survival will lead to a rise in HIV-related CNS syndromes. CNS involvement adds to the complexity of the disease and necessitates involvement of many disciplines. The nurse is responsibility for facilitating and coordinating the multidisciplinary team effort. The nurse must also be an advocate to provide access to beneficial services and to develop services that are not in place. The task of nursing is to assist the person living with AIDS to maintain his or her quality of life however they wish to define it.