From the Guidelines
Mastitis treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and supportive measures, with the goal of alleviating symptoms and promoting healing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, mothers with mastitis are encouraged to continue breastfeeding, as regular feeding or expression of milk is an adjunct to other treatment. Antibiotics may be indicated, with approximately 10% of mastitis cases progressing to breast abscesses, which require drainage 1.
- Antibiotic treatment: A 10- to 14-day course of antibiotics, such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin, is commonly recommended 1.
- Supportive measures: Applying warm compresses, resting, and continuing to breastfeed or express milk can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing 1.
- Severe cases: Hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be necessary in severe cases of mastitis 1.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can continue on the affected side as long as the infant’s mouth does not contact purulent material 1. It is essential to note that the treatment of mastitis should be individualized, taking into account the severity of the condition, the presence of any underlying medical conditions, and the patient's overall health status 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Mastitis
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question as the provided studies focus on antibiotic therapy for bloodstream infections and neonatal sepsis, rather than mastitis.
Relevant Studies on Antibiotic Therapy
- The studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 discuss the duration of antibiotic therapy for various infections, including bloodstream infections and neonatal sepsis.
- These studies compare the efficacy of different antibiotic treatment durations, such as 7 days versus 14 days, in terms of treatment failure, hospital stay, and adverse effects.
- The results of these studies may not be directly applicable to the treatment of mastitis, as they focus on different types of infections and patient populations.
Key Findings from the Studies
- A 10-day antibiotic therapy was found to be comparable to a 14-day therapy in efficacy for culture-positive neonatal sepsis, with a shorter hospital stay 2, 5.
- A 7-day antibiotic therapy was found to be noninferior to a 14-day therapy for uncomplicated Gram-negative bacteremia 4 and bloodstream infections 6.
- The studies suggest that shorter antibiotic treatment durations may be effective for certain types of infections, but the results may not be generalizable to other conditions, such as mastitis.