Which symptoms are commonly associated with mastitis?

• A. Abdominal pain and diarrhea
• B. Fever, breast pain, breast inflammation and redness
• C. Cough and sore throat
• D. Low back pain

Answer: (B)

Mastitis presents as an inflammatory/infectious process in the breast, so the most characteristic signs are fever, breast pain, and visible inflammation with redness and warmth over the affected area, often with swelling. These findings reflect both localized infection and a systemic response. The other options don’t fit because they point to symptoms from unrelated body systems—abdominal pain and diarrhea are GI; cough and sore throat are respiratory; and low back pain is nonspecific and not typical of mastitis. Recognizing the combination of fever with focal breast tenderness and redness helps distinguish mastitis and guides appropriate management, which typically includes measures to drain the breast and, if indicated, antibiotics.