What infections can be passed through breast milk?
It’s safe to breastfeed your baby during common infectious illnesses such as colds and flu. Such illnesses are not passed through breast milk. Even mastitis (an infection in the breast) does not pose any risk to your baby. There are a few situations, however, in which breastfeeding is not advised. The following recommendations apply in the United States. Recommendations are often different in developing countries, where the risk of infant mortality is higher if the baby does not breastfeed. HIV infection or HTLV-1: Breastfeeding is not recommended. Infectious (contagious) tuberculosis: Breastfeeding is safe after the mother has undergone treatment and is no longer contagious. Hepatitis A: Breastfeeding is safe after the mother receives a dose of gamma globulin. Hepatitis B: Breastfeeding is safe after the baby receives a dose of Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). The baby should also be started on the first of three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. Herpes simplex: Breastfeeding is safe i
