During late-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening illness is much greater. Examples include:
esophagitis (an inflammation of the lining of the lower end of the esophagus)
infections to the nervous system (acute aseptic meningitis, subacute encephalitis, peripheral neuropathy)
pneumonia
some cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, invasive cervical cancer, lung cancer, rectal carcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, head and neck cancers, cancers of the immune system known as lymphomas
toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that infects the brain. It can also cause disease in the eyes and lungs)
tuberculosis
Life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated with proper HIV treatment.