Mastitis causing fever while breastfeeding

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by MSc Ta Quoc Ban - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
One day, you touch your breasts and may find them softer than usual. Breasts are not an organ that often gets infected, but once infected they can become very painful and uncomfortable. An infection of breast tissue is also known as mastitis. If you're breastfeeding, it's called postpartum mastitis. Mastitis can give you flu-like symptoms, but can heal quickly with proper treatment.

1. Causes of mastitis

Mastitis is a common condition in lactating women. 1 in 10 breastfeeding women in the US has this condition. This is caused by the amount of milk in the milk ducts. This happens when your baby doesn't latch on or latches on incorrectly, or prefers one breast to the other and feeds on only one breast. Mastitis can also occur if you don't breastfeed or don't pump regularly.
Breastfeeding women are not the only ones with mastitis. If you don't breastfeed, cracked nipples can also lead to a breast infection. In both of these cases there was a bacterial invasion of the milk ducts. Mastitis is especially common in women who smoke.

2. Symptoms of mastitis

Just like any other infection, the tissue around the infected area will also become inflamed. When you have mastitis, the milk ducts are also infected, causing the breasts to swell. Your breasts may look red and feel tender or hot.
Many women with mastitis feel like they have the flu, including aches, chills, and a fever of 38.5 degrees or higher. You may also have discharge from your nipple or feel a hard lump in your breast.

3. Diagnosis of mastitis

Symptoms of mastitis can come on very suddenly. You may have flu-like symptoms before you experience breast discomfort. When you feel pain or see redness in your breast, call your doctor as soon as possible.
Doctors can also diagnose mastitis based on physical examination. Fever and chills will disappear quickly as well as the red area on the breast towards the breast will also disappear after the treatment.
Differential diagnosis: it is important to distinguish mastitis from a breast abscess – a condition that occurs when mastitis is not treated quickly. It is also important to distinguish mastitis from inflammatory breast cancer – this is a rare disease that, however, shares the same symptoms of redness and swelling.

4. Treatment

If you are not breastfeeding, you will be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics should help you feel better and control inflammation within a day or two. Be sure to use antibiotics as directed by your doctor.
If you have mastitis while breastfeeding , you need to take extra care of yourself – something that can certainly be difficult to do during childbirth, but it will help you feel better quickly than. Drink plenty of water, wear a loose bra, and get as much rest as possible. Your doctor may recommend ibuprofen or a similar medication to reduce fever and pain.
It's important to continue breastfeeding and try to fix the blocked milk duct. While it may be painful, it will not harm your baby.

5. Prevention

If you wear tight bras or tops, it puts pressure on your breasts. Wear loose, lightweight materials that stretch and make you comfortable.
To prevent clogged milk ducts, make sure your baby latches on properly and sucks all the milk out of each breast after each feeding. Seek the help of a lactation specialist in case you need help.
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Reference source: webmd.com