(GP) (Infection)

Overview

• Mastitis is defined as inflammation of the breast with or without infection
• Mastitis with infection can be lactational or non-lactational
• Lacational mastitis occurs in up to 10% of nursing mothers (usually 2-4 weeks post-partum) → most common causative agent is staphylococcus aureus
• A breast abscess is a localised area of infection with a walled-off collection of pus → main complication of mastitis

<aside> 💡 Biggest RF ⇒ Breast Feeding

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Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Tender, firm, swollen erythematous breast
• Pain during breastfeeding (also decreased milk outflow) → usually a sharp breast pain
• Flu like symptoms → fever, malaise, chills, myalgia
• Nipple Discharge → purulent discharge is associated with infection

Abscess ⇒ fluctuant, tender mass with overlying erythema

Investigations: