Cat Scratch disease | Symptoms | Risk Factors
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) or felinosis is an infectious disease that occurs after a scratch or bite of a cat. Typical Symptoms include a non-painful bump or blister at the site of injury and painful and swollen lymph nodes. People may feel tired, have a headache, or a fever.
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| Cat Scratch disease |
It is a bacterial infection. When cats get infection from
Bartonella henselae bacteria they travel this infection to human. In USA 500
people admit in hospital each year. It is due to increase adoptions of cats.
Causes
This disease is caused by bite of infected cat to human.
Flea and tick carry bacteria to travel this disease. Infected human can not
spread this disease to another human.
Risk
Those who owns cat are at risk to get this infection. It is
common in USA. Those one who have weak immune system can get this disease. Pregnant
women, diabetic patient, HIV or AIDS patients and cancer patients can get this
disease.
Symptoms in cats
Those cats who carry B. henselae do not get sick commonly.
It is not analyzed if cats are carriers.
Symptoms in humans
Human get blister or bump at bite site, fatigue, aches in
body, low-grade fever, headaches, chills, loss of appetite, sore throat, joint
pain, abdominal pain and rash.
Diagnosis
Doctors perform physical examination. Polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) blood test is performed by doctors to see B. henselae bacteria
in human body.
Complications
Bacteria is spread to brain and causes encephalopathy and
results in permanent damaging to brain. Neuroretinitis causes blurred vision and
inflames retina and optic nerve. Infection in bones causes osteomyelitis. It
also cause parinaud oculoglandular syndrome.
Treatment
This infection is not serious that’s why treatment is not
required. To decrease lymph node volume Azithromycin is used. Ciprofloxacin,
tetracycline, rifampin are also used.
Prevention
Avoid bitten and rough play with cat. Keep trimmed nails. After playing with cats people should wash their hands. Prevent eyes and mouth from cats to lick.