CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE

General Information

DEFINITION--A mild infectious disease caused by a small bacteria resulting from a scratch by a cat (most often a kitten). It is not contagious from person to person. More than one family member can be infected at one time.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Skin; lymph glands.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• A lump, with or without pus or fluid, which starts on the scratched skin 3 to 10 days after the cat scratch.
• Swollen lymph glands near the affected area.
• Low fever of 99F to 101F (37.2C to 38.3C).
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• AIDS patients may have more severe symptoms.

CAUSES--A bacterium carried on cat's claws. The infection spreads to lymph glands near the scratch by way of lymphatic vessels. Most of the animals involved are healthy.

RISK INCREASES WITH--Owning or handling cats.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Teach children to respect animals and not provoke them.
• Don't pick up strange cats.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor. Tell your doctor of any cat scratches in the previous 2 weeks.
• Skin test.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Needle aspiration (See Glossary) to drain the lymph gland, if it contains pus.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Eye inflammation, encephalitis, hepatitis (all rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery within 3 weeks.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Apply heat to affected areas; use warm soaks (see Soaks in Appendix) or use heating pad.
• It is not necessary to isolate the ill person because the disease is not transmitted from person to person.
• Consult your veterinarian about the cat or kitten that caused the infection.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

ACTIVITY--Rest in bed until fever subsides and energy returns. Resume your normal activities gradually.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of cat-scratch disease.
• A swollen lymph gland becomes painful and red. This may indicate that a doctor should open and drain the infected gland.