I absolutely agree with Lisa that there needs to be a more systematic
vocabulary to describe the sx which characterize mastitis.  I also agree
that redness, lump, pain and some sort of systemic sx should be present.  I
wasn't implying that the moms who feel well should get antibiotics.  Just
that I see women who feel unwell (aches, headache,malaise) but aren't
running fever.  Either because they almost never run fever with any illness
they get, or because it's being masked by ibuprofen or acetaminophe, or the
postpartum pain meds mom is taking.  I have an absolutely nasty photo (which
will be in the new Atlas) of a mother with a raging staph infection (crusty,
oozing, yellow crystalized pus) on both nipples, brightly inflamed
montgomerys glands, bloody,  gloppy milk, red breasts, intense pain, and no
fever. Huge change within 24 hrs of starting systemic abx.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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