>
>We know that breastfed babies have an enhanced immune response to
>immunizations, one of the benefits of breastfeeding.  But with this H5N1
>virus that provokes an over-reaction by the healthy immune system, what will
>we see in breastfed children?  I would guess that most of the 100 or so
>people who have already died of H5N1 influenza in Asia, Turkey, Azerbejan,
>Iraq, etc. were breastfed.  Are any Lactnetters knowledgeable enough about
>immunology to contribute to a discussion here?

While I am FAR from knowledgeable about immunology, I have carefully 
read Dr. Lars Hanson's book _Immunobiology of Human Milk: How 
Breastfeeding Protects Babies_.

One of the concepts that I remember well is that breastmilk 
stimulates and augments the child's immune response in ways that do 
not also trigger inflammation (as is usual in immune response).  The 
breastfed child thus does not 'waste' energy on fighting inflammation 
in addition to the original infection.

I don't know if this special type of response continues to occur 
after a child has been weaned.  It is concerning that H5N1 has such a 
high mortality rate even in populations with high breastfeeding rates.

Anyone interested in specifics, I would refer to Dr. Hanson's book. 
It is excellent.

Warmly,
Margaret
Longmont, CO

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