Cat Scratch Disease: Everything You Need to Know

Cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever is an infection caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae. The disease is also called bartonellosis. As the name implies, this disease is transmitted from cats to humans by scratches or bites.

About 40% of cats and kittens carry Bartonella henselae in their mouths or under their claws. They are carried from one cat to another by fleas. Cats can also pick up the bacteria when fighting with other infected cats. Most cats that are infected don’t show any symptoms. Infected humans develop an inflammatory reaction that manifests as the symptoms discussed below.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

  • Skin rash – This appears at the site of the cat bite or scratch about 3-10 days after getting infected with the bacteria and remain for 1 – 3 weeks.
  • Painful lymph node swellings – The lymph nodes swell about 2 weeks after infection.
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Eye problems
  • Fainting spells

Diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease

Your doctor would ask questions to carefully identify your symptoms. A history of a cat scratch or bite is most important. The questions are usually accompanied by examination of your body. Blood tests are then done to confirm the presence of the bacteria and antibodies to the bacteria in your blood.

Treatment of Cat Scratch Disease

There is no specific treatment for cat scratch disease. This disease is usually self-limiting, that is, it resolves spontaneously without treatment or intervention. Antibiotics are given to people with weakened immune system.

A word from HealthFacts to you

Cat scratch fever is rarely serious and usually goes away on its own in 2 to 4 months without treatment. Hence, not everyone who has been licked or scratched by a cat needs to go to the doctor.

Till next time, stay informed and stay healthy!

Suggested Reading: Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease

64 COMMENTS

  1. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  2. What i do not realize is actually how you’re now not really a lot more well-liked than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly in terms of this matter, produced me for my part believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t interested until it’s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

  3. Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  4. I used to be recommended this blog via my cousin. I am now not sure whether this submit is written by way of him as no one else realize such certain approximately my difficulty. You are amazing! Thank you!

  5. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come back very soon. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice day!

  6. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  7. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  8. Pretty component to content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I achievement you get entry to persistently fast.

  9. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  10. I like the valuable information you supply on your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am moderately certain I will be told lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!

  11. What i do not realize is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-liked than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You recognize therefore significantly in relation to this topic, produced me individually believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated unless it’s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs great. Always take care of it up!

  12. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog. It appears like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thanks

  13. Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

  14. Hey! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thanks a lot!

  15. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  16. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, superb site!

  17. I seriously love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own blog and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Appreciate it!

  18. You’re so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read something like this before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

LEAVE A REPLY