Numerous studies have shown that breast-feeding is dangerous for the infants of HIV-positive women because the virus can be transmitted through breast milk. But what are the health effects on the mothers? Turns out they're pretty serious if the women don't have access to anti-HIV drugs, according to research presented at the 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Untreated breast-feeding moms posted significantly higher blood-based levels of C-reactive protein -- a compound produced by the liver and by fat cells in response to inflammation -- and also saw faster disease progression to an AIDS diagnosis, even after breast-feeding stopped.
