Breast-feeding babies safe from HIV

A new study has raised the possibility of safer breast-feeding by HIV-positive mothers in the developing world. The "Stopping Infection from Mother to Child via Breastfeeding in Africa" (SIMBA) study suggests that a daily HIV/AIDS drug dose for babies during the entire breast-feeding period significantly reduces the rate of HIV infection through breast milk. Research shows that while the current single dose of drugs at birth halves the risk of contracting HIV, infants later become infected through breast-feeding. Dr Joep Lange, the lead researcher in the study, said the treatment for babies was only a stop-gap until long-term therapy became widely available to everyone in developing countries. "Obviously, it would be much better to [continue] treating the mothers. You have to see this as an intermediate stage," he said, explaining that the study aimed to deliver a simple treatment for the children.