Virus specific memory T cell responses in H5N1 avian influenza virus infected patients

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The aim of this study is to study how the human body can respond to avian influenza virus infection, focusing specifically on white blood cells (called killer T-cells) that kill influenza-virus-infected cells. We will ask how big are these T cell responses and do they react only to avian virus or will people whose T-cells recognise the common flu strains have some protection against avian flu? Do these T-cell responses play a part in protecting people who have been exposed to avian flu but who did not become sick? Or is there a possibility that having T-cell immunity to the more common influenza virus strains could actually cause disease in people who are exposed to avian strains of influenza A virus?