Cat Scratch Fever
(Cat Scratch Disease)
Definition
Cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection you can get from being scratched or bitten by a cat or kitten, or sometimes a dog. This usually goes away without treatment, but can become a potentially serious condition that requires care from your doctor.
Causes
- The bacteria that causes cat scratch fever is found in fleas and is passed to cats through flea bites, then to humans through a cat scratch or bite.
- Children under age ten are most often affected because they are most often the victims of a cat scratch or bite.
Symptoms
Swollen Lymph Nodes
- A crusting sore or blister that develops over the site of a cat scratch or bite
- Swollen, painful lymph nodes
- Low-grade fever
- Flu-like symptoms such as weakness, nausea, chills, loss of appetite, and headache.
- If you do not start to get well within in a few days, you may develop complications such as a very high fever or pneumonia. Severe cases have caused infections of the brain ( encephalitis ), hepatitis, and even death.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. If you remember that you were bitten or scratched by a cat, your doctor will probably be able to diagnose the disease based on the fact that you were bitten or scratched, then got painful, swollen lymph nodes. Tests may include:
- A blood test, especially if the diagnosis is not clear from the exam and medical history alone.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:
- Rest and non-prescription pain relievers, such as acetaminophen.
- Lymph node drainage—If a lymph node is very swollen or very painful, your doctor may drain it to help it heal and to relieve pain. To do this, your doctor will put a hypodermic needle into the swollen node. Fluid inside the node will then drain out through the needle.
- Antibiotics—Cat-scratch fever usually clears up without treatment. If lymph nodes stay painful and swollen for more than two or three weeks, or if you get very ill, you may need antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for those with HIV infection or other immunocompromising diseases.
RESOURCES:
Cat Scratch Disease
National Center for Infectious Diseases
http://www.cdc.gov
Winn Feline Foundation
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Health Guide
British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.bchealthguide.org
Cat Scratch Fever
Animal Healthcare Information and Advice from Canadian Veterinarians (animalhealthcare.ca)
http://www.animalhealthcare.ca
References:
Chomel BB. Cat-scratch disease. Rev Sci Tech . 2000;19(1):136-50.
Conrad DA. Treatment of cat-scratch disease. Curr Opin Pediatr . 2001;13(1):56-9.
Lamps LW, Scott MA. Cat-scratch disease: historic, clinical, and pathologic perspectives. Am J Clin Pathol . 2004;121 Suppl:S71-80.
Windsor JJ. Cat-scratch disease: epidemiology, aetiology, and treatment. Br J Biomed Sci . 2001;58(2):101-10.
Last reviewed November 2008 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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