Breast infection most commonly affects women between the ages of 18 and 50 and is much less common than it used to be. Breast infection can be split into two groups: those which occur in women who are breastfeeding and that which occurs spontaneously.

The first symptoms of breast infection are pain, swelling, redness and tenderness. You may start to feel unwell, almost as if you have the flu with a raised temperature, general aches and pains and a headache.

You may be aware, before infection is apparent, of a cracked nipple or a break in the surrounding skin. You may also be aware that part of the breast is engorged because the breast is not draining properly.

If you suspect you are developing an infection, you should see your doctor as soon as you can. You will almost certainly be given an antibiotic that can be safely taken while you are breastfeeding.

It is important that you carry on breastfeeding because draining the infected milk can reduce the chances of an abscess forming. Your baby will not come to any harm from germs in the milk as they will easily be killed off once they reach the baby's stomach.

If you cannot carry on breastfeeding for any reason, then you should express your milk.

If, having started antibiotics, your infection does not settle quickly, then it is likely that an abscess has developed and your GP will send you to hospital to have it drained. It used to be necessary to have a general anaesthetic to drain a breast abscess but now it is usually possible to treat it either by removing the pus through a needle or making a small hole in the breast and draining the abscess under local anaesthetic.