The decision to prescribe antibiotics needs to be made in consultation with your GP. This article does not substitute for assessment and treatment by your doctor when you have a breast inflammation.

Overuse of antibiotics for breast inflammation continues, despite the World Health Organisation’s urgent call for responsible antimicrobial stewardship. Antibiotic over-prescribing has been described as a tragedy of the commons, in which a shared resource is over-exploited by some, acting in their own interests, to the eventual detriment of all, due to the development of anti-microbial resistance.

Persistent signs and symptoms at the most severe end of the spectrum of breast inflammation may require antibiotics.

• Although breast inflammation isn't viral, it can help to think of breast inflammation as a viral infection or cold which your own immune system can deal with if you give it time. Breast inflammation can feel miserable for a number of days, accompanied by fevers, muscle aches and pains, shaking, and feeling really unwell. As the days pass, the symptoms gradually improve and the fevers lessen. You might still not feel great after five days, but you're confident you're mending. This does not require antibiotics.

• Fevers with breast inflammation can be expected to persist for a number of days. By 72 hours, the fevers should be lessening and the inflammation showing signs of improvement.

• By the fifth day, persisting fevers and no signs of improvement may require antibiotic use. Your doctor will follow you up closely.

• Any new lump which has persisted for a week requires assessment by your doctor, who may order ultrasound imaging to exclude breast cancer.