Breast Problems: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have symptoms of a breast infection?

See significance of symptoms of a breast infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Yes

Do you have increasing pain in one area of the breast?

Yes

Do you have increasing redness in one area of the breast, or red streaks extending away from an area of the breast?

Yes

Do you have drainage of pus from the nipple or another area of the breast?

Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck or armpit?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are your nipples cracked and bleeding after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	November 03, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer