A 28-year-old woman, 3 weeks postpartum, presents to the GP with a painful, red, hot area on the medial aspect of her left breast. She has been breast...

Question

A 28-year-old woman, 3 weeks postpartum, presents to the GP with a painful, red, hot area on the medial aspect of her left breast. She has been breastfeeding exclusively. Her temperature is 37.2°C. She has no fluctuant mass. Which is the single most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Advise continued breastfeeding, effective milk removal, warm compresses, and simple analgesia. If symptoms do not improve in 12-24 hours or she becomes systemically unwell, start flucloxacillin.

Answer

Prescribe oral flucloxacillin 500 mg four times daily for 14 days

Answer

Advise immediate cessation of breastfeeding

Answer

Refer for breast ultrasound urgently

Answer

Prescribe oral ciprofloxacin

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Non-infective Mastitis - Conservative First

A 28-year-old woman, 3 weeks postpartum, presents to the GP with a painful, red, hot area on the medial aspect of her left breast. She has been breastfeeding exclusively. Her temperature is 37.2°C. She has no fluctuant mass. Which is the single most appropriate initial management?