Cat Scratch Fever

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial disease caused by bartonella henselae. Most people get CSD by playing with cats or kittens and get bitten or scratched by them. They develop a mild infection at the place of injury. The lymph nodes especially around the head, neck and upper limbs become swollen.

A person with cat scratch disease may experience fever, headaches, fatigue, chills, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite and inflammation and soreness of the lymph nodes (lymphadenitis). As the disease progresses more nodules may develop under the skin where the injury took place. Sometimes an infected lymph node may form a tunnel or fistula through the skin and drain out fluid. Less common symptoms include:

• Enlarged spleen
• Sore throat
• Weight loss

Bartonella Henselae, the bacterium that causes CSD is found in places all over the world. More than 90 percent of the people that get CSD got it from close contact with cats or kittens. No one knows exactly how cats get this infection. Bartonella Henselae has been found in fleas and many experts believe that cats acquire it from them.

Kittens are more likely to carry the bacteria and transmit the infection to humans. About 40 percent of cats carry the bacteria in their saliva at some point in their lifetime. In the United States alone about 22,000 cases are diagnosed annually, most often in the fall and winter seasons and usually in children, because they are more likely than adults to play with kittens and cats and are more easily bitten or scratched.

Usually cat scratch disease is not serious. The disease often goes unrecognized because of the difficulty in testing for it. However the IFA Bartonella Henselae test is highly accurate in identifying infection by this type of bacteria. People with suppressed immune systems like HIV/AIDS patients or chemotherapy for cancer patients, are affected more and our recommended to get antibiotics such as azithromycin. People with normal immune systems usually recover without treatment.

Some of the ways to prevent getting the cat scratch fever is to avoid cats. However if that is not possible then be sure to control fleas from all pets and always wash your hands after playing or petting cats or kittens with warm and soapy running water. Also avoid being scratched or bitten by kittens or cats. Don’t allow cats to lick any open wound that you may have. The bacteria may also be present on cat's fur so avoid rubbing your eyes after petting a cat.