Just to help balance people's thinking, here are the findings from a fairly
recent study and the authors' conclusions:

REFERENCE: Guay LA, et al: Detection of human immue deficiency virus type 1
(HIV-1) DNA and p24 antigen in breast milk of HIV-1-infected Ugandan women
and vertical transmission. PEDIATRICS 98:438-44, 1996

1. "The presence of HIV-1 DNA in breast milk cells does *not* necessarily
indicate the presence of actively replicating infectious virus."

2. "We found *no correlation* between the duration of breastfeeding and
HIV-1 transmission."  (By the way, this contradicts a couple of other
studies that found that risk of vertical transmission increased if baby was
breastfed longer than 15 mo.)

3. AUTHORS CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: "It may be more reasonable to
direct public health efforts in developing countries toward preventing
seronegative breastfeeding mothers from becoming infected with HIV-1 rather
than preventing HIV-1-infected women from breastfeeding."

I know that is for developing countries only, but seems a whole lot more
sensible (to say nothing of less costly in $$$ and babies' lives) than to
offer free (that will be the day!) formula to women in the developing
countries!

When I was in South AFrica, buses (mini-size) were plastered with messages
about using condoms to avoid HIV transmission.  These buses were sent out
to the different townships to provide medical/health care to people who
could not get into the cities.

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