Breast Infection
Alternate Names : Mastitis
What can be done to prevent the infection?
A woman can lower her risk for a breast infection by:
avoiding excessive exercise of the upper arms
avoiding restrictive clothing or objects over the breast
breast-feeding equally from both breasts
drinking adequate fluids
ensuring that the baby is suckling properly
expressing breast milk when she is away from the baby during regular feeding times
following a regular schedule for breast-feeding
positioning the baby correctly
seeking effective treatment for conditions such as anemia
washing hands prior to breast-feeding
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Long-term effects depend upon the underlying cause. For breast-feeding women with mastitis, the condition usually clears quickly with antibiotic medicine. All of the prescribed antibiotic should be taken as directed to keep the infection from returning later. A severe breast infection can lead to the development of a breast abscess, or collection of pus. A breast abscess might need to be drained surgically. In this instance, the woman might be advised to discontinue breast-feeding.
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