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Cat Scratch Disease, also known as cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection that you can get from being scratched or bitten by a cat, or in few instances a dog. The bacteria that causes the disease is found in the fleas that inhabit cats which is passed on to the cat through the flea bites. The bacteria suspected is called rochalimaea henselae.
The first thing you will notice if you get cat scratch disease is a crusting sore or blister over the site of the scratch that looks similar to a boil. Next, you will notice swollen lymph nodes which are very painful. The most common site of a cat scratch is on the hands, arms and face and therefore is the most common place for a cat scratch infection.
If you notice a crusty infection in a bite or scratch from a cat you need to look for additional symptoms of the disease. The most common symptom is swollen glands under the neck. Many people also get a low grade fever and feel like they have the flu with weakness, nausea, chills, loss of appetite and a headache. If the victim does not get well within in a few days they may develop a very high fever. Pneumonia could develop, or a rash that looks like the measles, as well as other complications. There have been cases of severe infection that have led to encephalitis, amputation and even death due to a cat bite.
Most often the symptoms and the disease will go away on its own. Sometimes, in rare instances, the symptoms will last several months and then go away. If symptoms do not go away and the fever persists, antibiotics may be necessary. Go to your doctor.
The best prevention against cat scratch disease is to prevent getting scratched or bitten by a cat or a dog. If you do get bitten or scratched, wash it immediately with antiseptic soap and hot water. Keep your pets free of fleas. The fleas are what carry the bacteria initially that is passed on to the animal and then to the human.
Cat bites are associated with a higher rate of infection than dog bites. The reason for this is that a dog bite usually bleeds a lot and the bacteria is washed out of the wound. Cat bites are usually a puncture type wound that is deep and does not bleed much. This type of bite is hard to clean. In addition, cats carry more infectious types of bacteria in their saliva than dogs. Children under the age of ten are most commonly infected with cat scratch disease, because they are most often the victims of a scratch or bite.
Another source of bacteria and infection from cats and dogs is their feces. Bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal upsets and other infections can be passed on through their waste. It is important to not come into contact with animal waste and keep the yard and cat box clean of pet waste. Wash your hands after petting your animals.
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