Cat scratch fever occurs when a person is bitten, scratched, or
licked by a cat infected with the bacteria Bartonella henselae.
The infection doesn't usually
cause severe complications. However, it's possible that it can in people with
weak immune systems. Knowing the causes and symptoms can ensure a person
receives swift treatment.
Cats can transmit several types
of infections to humans. Some of these diseases can be severe.
Carrying out
routine care for a cat often reduces the risk of many of these diseases.
Causes
A person can get cat
scratch fever if they are scratched or bitten by an
infected cat. The B.
henselae bacteria live in a cat's
saliva, and can also be passed to a person through an open area of skin.
People are most likely to
experience cat scratch fever in the fall and winter when they're inside and
play with their cats. Kids are more likely than adults to have the condition.
They can play with cats more roughly, making them more likely to be scratched.
Symptoms
Cat scratch fever doesn't
usually cause symptoms in the first few days after a person is exposed. During
this time, the bacteria are multiplying in the body.
About 3 to 10 days after a
person is scratched, they may notice a small bump or blister on the affected
area. Doctors call this an inoculation lesion. These lesions are commonly seen
on the:
Arms
Hands
Head
Scalp
A few weeks later, a person will
usually see the lymph nodes near the lesion swollen or tender.
Lymph nodes are responsible for
filtering bacteria and other particles as well as creating immune system cells.
They usually feel like small, spongy, round or oval bumps.
If a person was bitten or
scratched on the arm, the lymph nodes under the arm or near the elbow may be
especially tender.
Sometimes, the lymph nodes swell
as much as 2 inches across. They may be warm to the touch, pus-filled, or red
in color. The lymph nodes may remain swollen for anywhere from 2 to 4 months
after the initial infection.
Most people only have swollen
lymph nodes as a symptom. Other symptoms associated with cat scratch fever
include:
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Fever, typically no higher than
101°F
Tiredness
Headache
Joint pain
Rash
Sore throat
Complications
Cat scratch fever doesn't
usually cause severe symptoms. However, some people may develop a high fever
that doesn't seem to go away with time.
Some people can also experience
infections in the bones, joints, liver, lungs, or spleen. According to
the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most severe
symptoms usually occur in children ages 5 and under.
While cat scratch fever isn't a
condition that usually requires emergency care, there are always exceptions. A
person should contact their doctor immediately if they experience the following
symptoms:
A cat bite or scratch that is
not healing or is getting worse
The red area around a bite or
scratch is enlarging
A high fever that lasts more
than 2 days after being bitten or scratched
High levels of pain
Diagnosis
Cat scratch fever can be hard to
diagnose as the symptoms are similar to a lot of other conditions. A doctor
will ask about a person's medical history and any interactions a person may
have had with a cat.
A doctor will then conduct a
physical examination, looking at the scratched area and any swollen lymph
nodes. Examination and medical history are often enough to make a diagnosis.
The doctor may order additional
tests to make sure another condition isn't causing the symptoms. They could
take a sample of blood and send it to a lab to determine what type of bacteria
is growing.
Doctors can also order a blood
test that specifically tests for cat scratch fever.
Treatment
As most cases of cat scratch
fever are mild, a doctor won't always prescribe a treatment. If symptoms are
moderate to severe, they may prescribe an antibiotic.
At-home treatments for the
condition include bed rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever if the lymph
nodes are painful or especially tender.
While children don't have to
stop playing, they should avoid hitting or interfering with the affected lymph
nodes.
Once a person has had cat
scratch fever once, they're unlikely to get the disease again.
Source : Medical News Today
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