health

1. What Is Cat Scratch Disease?
2. Who Gets Cat Scratch Disease?
3. Signs and Symptoms.
4. How Do Doctors Treat Cat Scratch Disease?
5. Complication.
6. Prevention.

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CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE CAT SCRATCH DISEASE

Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness that can cause flu-like symptoms
and swelling of lymph nodes*. It is caused by bacteria carried in cat saliva.
The bacteria usually enter the body from a cat scratch or a bite that breaks
the skin.
Cat scratch disease (also called cat scratch fever) is caused by the bacterium
Bartonella henselae (bar-tuh-NEH-luh HEN-suh-lay), which is
found in the saliva of cats and kittens all over the world. About 3 to
10 days after a person is bitten or scratched by a cat, a blister or small
bump may develop. This is called an inoculation (ih-nah-kyoo-LAYshun)
lesion, which means that it appears at the site where germs entered
the body. Usually about two weeks later, there is inflammation of nearby
lymph nodes. If the scratch or bite is on the arm, the lymph nodes on
the arm or in the armpit will become swollen. Swelling also can develop
in the lymph nodes in the neck or groin, depending on the site of the
scratch or bite.

People of any age can get the disease, but most cases occur in children and
teens. It is estimated that there are about 24,000 cases of cat scratch disease
each year in the United States. Members of the same household can become
ill if they are scratched or bitten by the same infected cat. Cat scratch disease
affects 9 of every 100,000 persons each year worldwide. People can get
the disease only from infected cats and kittens. It cannot be transmitted
from person to person, but it can spread among cats. It is thought that cats
and kittens can become infected with Bartonella henselae from fleas.

The most common symptoms of cat scratch disease are a bite or scratch
that does not heal normally; painful or swollen glands (lymph nodes),
especially in the armpit or near the inside of the elbow; fever; headache;
fatigue; joint pain; and sometimes a rash. Less common symptoms are
weight loss, sore throat, and draining lymph nodes. If a person is suspected
of having cat scratch disease, the doctor will ask about any recent
contact with a cat and will look for signs of a cat scratch or bite, swollen
lymph nodes, or an inoculation lesion. Sometimes a person with cat
scratch disease does not recall having had contact with a cat. Blood tests
can rule out other causes of swollen nodes and check for the presence of
antibodies* to the bacteria that cause the disease. In some cases, a doctor
will use a needle to take a sample (a piece of tissue) from a swollen lymph
node for examination under a microscope.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for cat scratch disease, but some doctors
advise taking these medications only in severe cases. Most people eventually
get well without treatment. If the patient is otherwise healthy, rest and
over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen* to relieve pain and
fever, are all that are needed while waiting for the disease to run its course.
If a lymph node becomes very swollen and painful, the doctor may decide
to drain it. Treatment with antibiotics often is recommended for patients
who have weakened immune systems as the result of other illnesses. The
symptoms in most patients usually resolve after several weeks of treatment
with antibiotics and within three months without antibiotic treatment.
Swollen lymph nodes may take several months to return to normal size.
Most people recover completely from the illness. After an episode of cat
scratch disease, people are usually immune to it, meaning that they cannot
get the disease again.

Generally, cat scratch disease is not serious in people who are healthy.
However people with weak immune systems, such as those with human
immunodeficiency virus* (HIV) infection or poorly controlled diabetes*
and those receiving chemotherapy* for cancer, have a greater risk of complications
and need to be watched closely by their healthcare providers.
These complications include hepatitis*, osteomyelitis*, encephalitis*,
and retinitis*. Sometimes cat scratch disease can appear in the form of
Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome (PAH-rih-nod ok-yoo-lo-GLANdyoo-
ler-SIN-drome). In this condition, a small sore and inflammation
develop in the membrane lining the inner eyelid, called the conjunctiva
(kon-jung-TIE-vuh), accompanied by swollen lymph nodes around the
ear. Rubbing one’s eyes after handling an infected cat can transmit the
infection to the conjunctiva because the bacteria can be present on the
cat’s coat wherever it licks itself.

About 30 percent of American households have pet cats. Keeping cats
indoors and free of fleas may help prevent them from contracting the
infection. It is a good idea to avoid stray or unfamiliar cats and not to provoke
any cat or kitten to the point that it scratches or bites. Thoroughly
cleaning any wounds inflicted by a cat may help prevent infection.