How to Treat Cat-Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection caused by the Bartonella henselae bacterium. The bacteria can be carried in a cat's saliva and is usually contracted by being bitten or scratched by a cat. The cats probably get it from fleas, but this has not been established. CSD is an opportunistic infection that is usually not serious for patients with healthy immune systems.

Instructions

1. Be aware that CSD normally does not require treatment in otherwise healthy individuals. The infected cat does not get ill and does not need treatment.

2. Prescribe antibiotics for CSD if the lymph nodes stay swollen and painful for more than 2 or 3 days. Antibiotics also may be taken in cases of a prolonged fever or if the infection spreads to the bones, liver or other organs.

3. Consider the following antibiotics in order of efficacy: rifampin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and trimethoprom-sulfamethoxazole (TMS-SMX.) In vitro susceptibilities of Bartonella to antibiotics cannot be used to determine an antibiotic recommendation.

4. Take Tylenol or ibuprofen to decrease soreness from CSD. You also can apply a warm compress to the lymph node.

5. Drain the lymph nodes if they are large and painful to relieve the pain. A needle is put through the skin on the side of the node and moved to the swollen node. The needle is then pushed into the node and the fluid is allowed to drain out.