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You may already have some protection from bird flu, but don’t count on it

Antibodies from past H1N1 or H3N2 infections or vaccines show limited defense against H5N1

Getting one type of flu might protect against others including H5N1 bird flu. In this picture, an ill young woman sits cross-legged on a white sofa with a gray blanket draped across her legs and pink shawl wrapped around her. Her right hand clutches her chest. Her eyes are closed and her head is bowed resting on her raised left hand, which holds a facial tissue.

Getting the flu is miserable, but new studies suggest seasonal flu infections and flu shots might protect against H5N1 bird flu.

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By Tina Hesman Saey

Some people may already have a tiny bit of protection against H5N1 bird flu.