Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue, often caused by infection. It commonly affects breastfeeding women and can result in pain, swelling, redness, and fever. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and continued breastfeeding or milk expression.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Fever

Related Topics

• breasts
• breast implants
• lactation

Updates for User Questions

1. Common Infections Causing Mastitis

Mastitis is most frequently associated with bacterial infections, and Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains in some cases) is the predominant pathogen involved [TODO: add citation if specific source needed]. While other bacteria like Streptococcus species or coagulase-negative staphylococci can occasionally cause mastitis, especially in non-lactating women (interstitial mastitis) or those not breastfeeding, S. aureus remains the most common infectious agent linked to lactational mastitis [TODO: add link suggestion for specific studies if available].

2. Inflammation Progression

The progression of inflammation leading to symptoms typically follows these stages:

• Initial Bacterial Entry: The infection usually starts with bacteria entering through cracked or sore nipples during breastfeeding. This initial entry causes a localized inflammatory response within the milk ducts.
• Infection and Early Inflammation: Once inside, the bacteria multiply in the mammary tissue (e.g., lobules). This triggers an immune response, causing white blood cells to accumulate at the infection site.
• Clinical Symptoms Develop: The accumulation of immune cells, inflammatory mediators released by the body's response to infection, and pus formation from dead white blood cells lead to the classic symptoms:
  • Pain/Aching Sensation: Often felt deep in the breast initially, later becoming localized or diffuse pain.
  • Swelling (Engorgement): The affected area becomes swollen due to increased fluid leakage into tissues containing bacteria and inflammatory cells. This is often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or fullness [TODO: add link if specific timeline/engorgement definition needed].
  • Redness: Caused by dilated capillaries and erythema (inflammation of the skin) resulting from increased blood flow to the area.
  • Warmth: The infected tissue feels warmer than surrounding areas due to increased blood flow [TODO: add link if specific heat increase data needed].
• Systemic Symptoms (like fever): Develop as bacteria spread into milk and enter the bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory response.

3. Antibiotic Use for Mastitis

Antibiotics are primarily used in the treatment of confirmed infectious mastitis when symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and fever are present [TODO: add citation if available]. They are not typically recommended as prophylactic measures to prevent mastitis unless a woman is at very high risk (e.g., with severe underlying breast disease or immunosuppression) after consultation with her healthcare provider. Prophylaxis focuses more on frequent nursing/pumping, good latch assessment, and addressing crack healing promptly [TODO: add link suggestion for breastfeeding complication prevention guidelines].

4. Potential Long-Term Effects of Untreated Mastitis

Untreated mastitis can lead to serious complications in breastfeeding women:

• Abscess Formation: A collection of pus (breast abscess) may develop within the breast tissue, requiring surgical drainage [TODO: add citation for this link].
• Chronic Infection or Sepsis: Bacterial spread through the bloodstream can potentially lead to more widespread infection, including mastitis spreading beyond the breast [TODO: note uncertainty and cite source if needed]. There might be concerns about impacting milk supply long-term [TODO: separate TODO for milk supply impact], though studies on this are mixed.