Mastitis is an infection or inflammation of the breast. Breast infections commonly occur in women who are breast-feeding when bacteria enters a crack in the nipple. A case of mastitis can leave you run down and make it hard for you to care for your baby.
Mastitis can occur when bacteria from your skin or your baby's mouth enters a crack in your nipple and multiplies.
Diagnosis & Treatments
How is mastitis diagnosed?
Your physician can confirm that the pain and swelling in your breast is a bacterial infection and will also check that the infection has not turned into an abscess, a complication of mastitis.
How is mastitis treated?
An antibiotic is prescribed for 10 to 14 days. Be sure the entire course of treatment is finished to avoid recurrence. Mastitis causes some women to wean their baby early. It's important to remember that you should continue to breastfeed. In fact, the affected breast should be kept empty of milk through frequent breastfeeding. Call your physician if flu-like symptoms develop or a fever over 100.4 degrees F.
