The medical term for breast infection is Mastitis. When a breast infection is left untreated or treated indequately, it may lead to collection of pus in a localised area of the breast. Pus collections in the body are known as abscesses. This condition should be suspected if pain in breast pain or fever do not improve despite adequate treatment or if any lump remains unchanged beyond 48 hours. All abscesses should be seen by the doctor as urgently as possible.
Mastitis
The usual symptoms are fever, chills and bodyache. The nursing mother may also experience headache, nausea or vomiting. Typically, one side is involved. The affected side becomes swollen, painful and may be reddened in one area. Infections in both breasts simultaneously can happen if both nipples were severely cracked prior to the infection.
Mastitis may follow a cracked nipple or a plugged duct. The reason for this is that after the first few days, even a newborn baby's mouth gets colonised with bacteria just as in adults. These bacteria can then pass from baby's mouth into the mother's breast.
Other Causes of Breast Infections Include
- Skipped feedings
- Use of tight Bras
- Infrequent changing of soaked nursing pads
- Use of unclean towels to wipe the breast
- Anemia (lack of enough iron in the body)
- Fatigue
Treatment:
- With prompt and proper treatment, the symptoms usually subside within 24 hours. It is most important to continue nursing frequently during this period. Discontinuation of breastfeeding at this time can slow down healing and may even lead to the formation of a breast abscess. Nursing during a breast infection will not make the baby ill because the infection involves only the breast tissue and not the milk. Try to identify the probable cause of the infection so that you can prevent a recurrence in the future.
- Nurse frequently, at least once in every two hours. Begin each nursing on the affected side. Increase your fluid (especially water) intake to an extent that makes you urinate frequently.
- Apply warm moist compresses to the breasts for 10-15 minutes before nursing and intermittently between feedings.
- You may use a safe mild pain/fever relieving medicine such as Paracetamol (a common brand available over the counter in pharmacies is Tylenol). The dose for you is one tablet taken orally every four to six hourly. This will not cause any harm to your baby.
In spite of the above measures, if your symptoms do not improve in 24 hours, you must consult your doctor. Your doctor would prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. This is also very safe for your baby.
