A flu pandemic may occur when the influenza virus changes in order to stay 
alive.  The virus "drifts" all the time-meaning minute changes occur in 
the viral structure. When people who have had the flu before are exposed 
to a "drift" virus , their body recognizes enough of the structural 
component of the virus to rapidly produce antibodies.  In the case of 
a "shift", the virus has virtually depleted all its drift options (so to 
speak) and the viral structure does a major change for survival.  
The "shifted" virus is entirely new to the population and therefore, the 
body needs more time to produce antibodies-usually through the course of a 
illness. Certainly the breastfed baby is already healthier. If the mother 
becomes ill & is able to continue breastfeeding, the baby will benefit 
from her antibodies as her body fights the illness.  But, the picture we 
could see may be different from the rapid antibody response of known 
viruses we are more accustomed to. 
Teresa Gates, RN, IBCLC
Clinton, AR

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