Cold/Flu 8 Months Post-Op BA, should I be concerned?

Question

Hi! I got breast implants 8 months ago and LOVE them! I got a sore throat, congestion, head cold type thing a few days ago. No fever but one of my armpits was tender and swollen. I'm feeling much better but I am concerned because I'm now learning that some doctors believe that such infections/illnesses can allow bacteria to seed on implants causing capsular contracture. Is this really true? Should I be concerned? Is there anything I can do now to prevent that from happening? Thank you!

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Good question.  It would be very unusual for the specific bacteria and viruses associated with a cold/flu to seed a breast implant.  Hope you feel better.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Colds and Upper Respiratory infections are typically caused by viruses.  Bacterial infections do occur also in some situations and risk groups.  Neither of these to types of upper respiratory infections has been associated with seeding of implants or capsular contracture. Flu vaccines are safe before or after surgery.The bacterial seeding that occurs is thought to be associated with contamination of the implant at the time of insertion with biofilm producing skin bacteria.  While not a true infection, it is thought to cause chronic inflammation and is a possible causative factor of capsular contractures.Best wishes on your recovery and try not to worry about your implants.  All the best.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

I would not be too concerned. Unfortunately, we still don't know exactly the cause of capsular contractures. There are lots of theories including implant seeding of bacteria from the blood stream. But this is just one theory of many. While I can't say for certain that your cold/flu does not increase your risk for capsular contracture problems in the future, the chances are incredibly low. If cold/flu caused contractures, then almost every breast augmentation patient would develop a capsular contracture at some point which is not the case. And there is nothing really that you can do to lower your risk anyway. That I know of at least.

Richard Bloom, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there,I dont think you dont have anything to be concerned about. You are correct that one of the current theories around breast implant capsular contracture is a subclinical infection. The organism invloved is a bacteria from the skin and is thought to be introduced at the time of surgery.Your recent illness is likely to be caused by a virus, which has not been indicated in breast capsular contracture.So in short, there is nothing you need to do!!!!CheersRichard BloomPlastic surgeonBoard Chairman Plastic surgeryMelbourne

Cold/Flu 8 Months Post-Op BA, should I be concerned?

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