To undergo a medical examination when applying for a job or when obtaining a driver's license, all people are sent to undergo fluorography in order to identify dangerous diseases of the respiratory system. But for a breastfeeding woman, this examination is not safe. The decision on the need for this examination is made by the doctor.
Why do fluorography
Fluorography is designed to determine the condition of the lungs and the presence of tumors or other nonspecific formations in it. Normally, this examination is carried out once a year. Recently, it has been allowed to pass it twice for certain categories of people. By identifying the disease in the early stages, it is more likely to be cured without consequences for further life. In addition, having identified a sick person, he is immediately isolated in the quarantine zone due to the possibility of transmitting the disease to healthy people.
Who needs to undergo fluorography without fail
For many young mothers, fluorography is a prerequisite for discharge from the maternity hospital.
If in the family or in a close environment there is a sick or previously ill with tuberculosis or other infectious disease of the respiratory system; if there is a person in contact with a positive Mantoux reaction; if the region of residence is marked by a large number of cases of tuberculosis. If there is an affirmative answer to any of the points, even a nursing mother needs to undergo fluorography.
Is fluorography harmful when breastfeeding
The lactation period complicates both the diagnosis and treatment of a woman. Many diseases a nursing woman is forced to treat with safe medicines so as not to harm the baby who feeds her breast milk. The doctor should make a decision on the need for fluorography, assessing all the risks. If it is possible to postpone this examination, then it is better to do this before the time of stopping feeding. But if the doctor decides in favor of the examination, some recommendations should be taken into account.
If possible, it is better to replace fluorography with an X-ray of the lungs. The radiation exposure in this case is much lower.
Fluorography does not give a complete guarantee that you are not infected with tuberculosis. The exact way to determine this is a blood test.
Please note that fluorography is of two types: film and digital. At the moment, the digital research method is more often used, since it has established itself as safer and easier to decipher. When passing through, it is worth finding out in what way they will view you, and warn about your status as a nursing mother.
After exposure, breast milk will need to be expressed and is unsafe to feed. At this time, it is better to feed the baby with adapted milk formula or previously expressed breast milk.
