Breast-feeding will continue to be a 鈥榗rucial element of child survival鈥�,
irrespective of the spread of HIV, says the WHO. Although there is substantial
evidence that the virus can be transmitted by breast-feeding, the risk to
infants is lower than the risks of death from other infections and malnutrition.
In countries where infant mortality from infectious diseases is high,
women should continue to breast-feed even if they are HIV positive, says
the WHO.
However, women in industrialised countries, where infant mortality is
low, should avoid breast-feeding if they are infected. Instead, they should
use a 鈥榮afe鈥� alternative infant formula.
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