What are the characteristics of delirium in patients with HIV infection?
Delirium, which is a state of global derangement of cerebral function, occurs more frequently in medically ill, brain injured, or metabolically unstable patients. The clinical presentation and the differential diagnosis in HIV patients are the same as in HIV noninfected individuals, with the additional possibility that delirium is HIV-related. Presentation may vary in the presence of psychomotor agitation or retardation. Emotional changes are common and often unpredictable, and hallucinations and delusions are frequently seen. Electroencephalography may show diffuse slowing of the background alpha rhythm, which resolves as confusion clears. The syndrome has an acute or sub-acute onset and remits fairly rapidly once the underlying cause is treated. How do you manage delirium in patients with HIV infection? Non-pharmacologic treatments include identification and removal of the underlying cause, reorientation of the patient (calendars, clocks, view of outside world, and active engagement
