Cat Scratch Fever – Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
If you are bitten, scratched or licked by a cat, you might develop cat scratch fever. This is a bacterial infection. The bacterium, Bartonella henselae, responsible for this infection lives in the saliva of cats.
This bacterium is transmitted to the animals through fleas. Although the bacteria are present in the cat’s saliva, cats do not show any sign of bacterial infection. Most cats are infected by the bacteria at least once in their life. Young cats, especially the ones below 12 months are more likely to carry the disease causing bacteria.
Symptoms of cat scratch fever
After you are scratched or bitten by an infected cat, the first symptom of the cat scratch disease appears after several days in the form of a small painless bump at the site of the scratch. Even minor scratches, that usually go unnoticed, could cause bacterial infection. The small bump is known as the inoculation lesion. After few weeks, the lymph nodes near the inoculation lesion will swell. If the cat scratches you on the arm, lumps would appear in the armpit or elbow. If the infected cat scratches you on your leg, the lymph nodes in the groin will swell. The lumps can be up to 2 inches in diameter. The skin of the affected area becomes red and warm. Rarely pus would ooze from the swollen lymph nodes.
Besides swollen lymph nodes, you might have mild fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, sore throat, headache and rash.
Cat scratch fever treatment
Antibiotics are prescribed for treating the bacterial infection. Cold compress can help to reduce the inflammation and pain. Occasionally to treat swollen lymph nodes that are big and painful, the fluid inside the lymph nodes might be drained with the help of needle and syringe. It might take about two to four weeks for the swollen lymph nodes to subside.
Cat scratch fever prevention
To prevent cat scratch fever, you should regularly remove fleas from your pet’s body. If you are scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area of your wound immediately with a medicated soap and water. Wash your hand with soap and water after handling your pet.
