Q: Where did HIV come from?
A: Scientists have different theories about the origin of HIV, but none have been proven. The earliest known case of HIV was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasha, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Q: How does HIV cause AIDS?
A: HIV destroys CD4+ T cells (helper cells) which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system.
Q: How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?
A: Scientists have estimated that about half the people with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. But the time period greatly varies from person to person.
Q: Can people assume responsibility in preventing HIV infection?
A: Both men and women share the responsibility for avoiding behavior that might lead to HIV infection.
