Cat Scratch Disease
Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that typically causes swelling of the lymph nodes. It usually results from the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, and it's found in all parts of the world. Cat scratch disease occurs more often in the fall and winter. In the United States, about 22,000 cases are diagnosed annually, most of them in people under the age of 21. This may be because children are more likely to play with cats and be bitten or scratched.
Fleas spread the bacteria between cats, although currently there is no evidence that fleas can transmit the disease to humans. Once a cat is infected, the bacteria live in the animal's saliva. Bartonella henselae does not make a cat sick, and kittens or cats may carry the bacteria for months. Experts believe that almost half of all cats have a Bartonella henselae infection at some time in their lives, and cats less than 1 year old are more likely to be infected.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people with cat scratch disease remember being around a cat, but often cannot recall receiving a scratch or a bite. A blister or a small bump develops several days after the scratch or bite and may be mistaken for an fever (usually less than 101? Fahrenheit or 38.3? Celsius), fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, rash, sore throat, and an overall ill feeling.
Atypical cases of cat scratch disease do occur, but they are much less common. In such cases, a person may have infections of the liver, spleen, bones, joints, or lungs, or a lingering high fever without any other symptoms. Some people get an eye infection known as Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, with symptoms including: a small sore on the conjunctiva (the membrane lining the eye or inner eyelid), redness of the eye, and swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear. Others may develop inflammation of the brain or family pet. The illness is relatively rare and usually mild, and a few steps can go a long way toward limiting your child's chances of contracting the disease.
Teaching children to avoid stray or unfamiliar cats can reduce their exposure to sources of the bacteria. To lower the risk of getting the disease from a family pet or familiar cat, children should avoid rough play with any pets so they can avoid being scratched or bitten. It is also a good idea for people to laboratory tests to help make the diagnosis, including:
- skin tests, blood tests, and Antibiotics can be used to treat the disease. If your child's doctor has prescribed antibiotics, give the medication to your child on schedule for as many days as the doctor has advised.
Home Treatment
A child who has cat scratch disease does not need to be isolated from other family members. Bed rest is not necessary, but it may help if your child tires easily. If your child feels like playing, encourage quiet play while being careful to avoid injuring swollen lymph nodes. To ease the soreness of these nodes, try warm, moist compresses or give your child nonprescription medicines like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin).
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor whenever your child has swollen or painful lymph nodes in any area of the body, or if your child is ever bitten by an animal. You should call if your child has been bitten or scratched by a cat and the wound does not seem to be healing, an area of redness around the wound keeps expanding for several days, or your child develops a fever that lasts for a few days after receiving the scratch or bite.
If your child has already been diagnosed with cat scratch disease, call the doctor if your child has a high fever, has lots of pain in a lymph node, seems very sick, or develops any new symptoms.
Updated and reviewed by: