What is Cat Scratch Fever?
Cat scratch fever or cat scratch disease can be treated. However, the best practice is to avoid being scratched. If that’s not avoidable, symptoms to watch for are a bite or scratch becoming reddened or swollen within a few days and does not heal or worsens over time, body rash, flu-like symptoms which include a headache, decreased appetite, fatigue joint pain and fever.
These symptoms look like other medical problems, always see your medical care provider for a proper diagnosis.
When you are scratched by a cat, clean it out as soon as possible.
Cat scratches and bits cause a bacterial infection carried in the cat saliva. Research suggests the bacteria originated from fleas. Bacteria are passed from the infected cat to humans. Cat scratch is more likely to come from younger cats or kittens.
Diagnosis is based on a complete history, including history of being scratched by a cat or kitten, a physical exam and often blood tests.
Complications of cat scratch disease are bacillary angiomatosis, a skin disorder characterized by red, elevated lesions surrounded by a scaly ring. This condition may lead to a more widespread disorder involving internal organs. It may also lead to parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome which is a condition that involves a red, irritated and painful eye that presents similar to pink eye or conjunctivitis as well as a fever and swollen lymph nodes.