Is HIV the primary cause of death in people with AIDS?

No, HIV is not the primary cause of death in people with AIDS. While HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), it is typically opportunistic infections or other complications that ultimately lead to death in people with AIDS. Opportunistic infections are infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system, which can occur as a result of HIV infection. Some common opportunistic infections associated with AIDS include Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis, and cryptococcal meningitis. Other complications that can contribute to death in people with AIDS include HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), wasting syndrome, and Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer that can develop in people with HIV.