Symptoms & Signs
- Breast enlargement on one side only
- Breast lump
- Breast pain
- Fever and flu-like symptoms including nausea and vomiting
- Itching
- Nipple discharge (may contain pus)
- Nipple sensation changes
- Swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth in breast tissue
- Tender or enlarged lymph nodes in armpit on the same side
Diagnosis & Tests
Breast-feeding women are usually not tested. However, an exam is often helpful to confirm the diagnosis and rule out complications such as an abscess.
Sometimes for infections that keep returning, milk from the nipple will be cultured. In women who are not breast-feeding, testing may include mammography or breast biopsy.
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Breast infection : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Breast infection : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Breast infection : Treatment
Review Date : 11/1/2009
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
