Mastitis While Breast-Feeding
Exams and Tests
Your doctor can usually diagnose
mastitis based on your symptoms and an examination of
the Reference affected breast Opens New Window Reference 
Opens New Window. Tests are usually not needed. But
they may be done to confirm a diagnosis or to help guide treatment for other
problems that can develop.
Breast milk culture
If you have an infection that isn't improving with treatment, your doctor may do a breast milk Reference culture Opens New Window. To provide a sample for a culture, you will squeeze a small sample of milk from the affected breast onto a sterile swab. The culture results help your doctor confirm a diagnosis and to find out the specific bacteria that are causing the infection.
In some cases, it takes more than one round of antibiotics to clear a breast infection. If you have not been responding to antibiotic treatment, culture results may be used to find out the most effective antibiotic for you.
Abscess
Sometimes a pocket of pus (abscess) forms in the reddened area of the breast. If an abscess is too deep to examine by touching it, your doctor may use a Reference breast ultrasound to examine it. Ultrasound can also be used to guide a needle to an abscess that needs to be drained of fluid. A culture of the abscess fluid is usually done to identify the infecting organism.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference January 10, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
