How to Spot the Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria bartonella henselae, which is present in cat saliva. It is transmitted to humans through exposure to cat saliva, primarily by being licked, bitten, or scratched by a cat. Most people who suffer from cat scratch disease do not remember a cat bite or scratch, so neither is actually necessary to develop the condition. It is not a particularly dangerous condition, but if the person is very young, old, or is suffering from an impaired immune system, medical supervision may be recommended. The symptoms discussed below will generally form a week or two after the infection sets in.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check for any visible wounds caused by the cat. This would be the point of scratch or bite, if that is the cause. In a person suffering from cat scratch disease, the wound will be very slow to heal and will be surrounded with an area of redness or swelling that does not go away for several days.

2. Determine if there is any swelling of the lymph nodes near the point of injury. This is the primary symptom of cat scratch disease, and is the first sign that people tend to notice. If the swelling continues for more than two weeks, or is accompanied by pain, seek medical attention.

3. Take the person's temperature and determine if he or she has a fever. Fever will be present in many people with the condition, as it is a common symptom in anyone with a bacterial infection.

4. Check for any signs of pain. People who develop cat scratch disease generally report a sense of overall discomfort or illness, a general malaise. It is also frequently accompanied with a sense of fatigue, lack of energy, and general lack of desire to do anything. Recurring headache is also common.

5. Find out if any of the less common symptoms are present. These are not present in most people, but are definitely something to watch for. They include: loss of appetite, weight loss, and sore throat. Unfortunately, these symptoms are common to a wide variety of ailments, and are by no means conclusive.

Tips & Warnings

• If the person is suffering from a weakened immune system, treatment with antibiotics is recommended. In people with normal immune systems, cat scratch disease will generally clear up on its own.
• Without proper medical training, it is difficult to diagnose cat scratch disease on your own. Seek medical attention to be sure.

[langleycornwell]

on 5/2/2009 Thanks for the information on Cat Scratch Disease. 5*s.

[local8b0y8]

on 4/20/2009 I never knew about this, thanks! 5*