fection, followed by 294.10 (F02.80)  major neurocognitive disorder due to HIV infection,
without behavioral disturbance.
For mild neurocognitive disorder due to HIV infection, code 331.83 (G31.84).  (Note:  Do
not use the additional code for HIV infection. Behavioral disturbance cannot be coded but
should still be indicated in writing.)
Diagnostic Features 
HIV disease is caused by infection with hu man immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1),
which is acquired through exposure to bodily fluids of an infected person through injection
drug use, unprotected sexual contact, or acci dental or iatrogenic exposure (e.g., contami-
nated blood supply, needle puncture injury to medical personnel). HIV infects several types
of cells, most particularly immune cells. Over time, the infection can cause severe depletion
of “T-helper” (CD4) lymphocytes, resulting in severe immunocompromise, often leading to
opportunistic infections and neoplasms. This  advanced form of HIV infection is termed
acquired immune deficiency syndrome  (AIDS). Diagnosis of HIV is confirmed by established
laboratory methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HIV antibody with
Western blot confirmation and/or polymera se chain reaction–based assays for HIV. 
Some individuals with HIV infection deve lop an NCD, which generally shows a “sub-
cortical pattern” with prominently impaired executive function, slowing of processing
speed, problems with more demanding attentio nal tasks, and difficulty in learning new
information, but fewer problems with recall of  learned information. In major NCD, slow-
ing may be prominent. Language difficulties , such as aphasia, are uncommon, although
reductions in fluency may be observed. HIV pathogenic proc esses can affect any part of