Many people who are forward thinking are looking for pharmaceuticals or supplements to 'stimulate the immune system.' Although this seems like a natural thing to do, it is simplistic and probably counterproductive.

The H5N1 virus is not like the standard flu virus - one reason it is so lethal is that that virus stimulates the immune system so excessively that the immune cells destroys tissues in the lungs and blood.

There are many parts of the immune system, and stimulating one part often turns down other parts. The immune system has different 'postures' for defending against different invaders (bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal). Many times the things that are labeled 'immune stimulants' stimulate one of these postures, which is only good if it leads to the right posture. The emphasis should be on stimulating the appropriate parts of the immune system based on the threat!

Limiting the spread of the virus is a good idea. So is limiting the cytokine storm (or inflammatory cascade). But simply 'stimulating the immune system' could increase the risk of death from the H5N1 virus.

To get a sense of what a cytokine storm is, read this overview of Conventional and Alternative Therapies for H5N1 (cache). Then browse through the entries here.

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