Introduction
Cats are one of the most common pets that most households have. Their cute little faces and adorable eyes, especially kittens, can grab anybody’s attention. However, these little ones can be carriers of bacteria and other organisms, which could be harmful to human beings.
What Is Cat Scratch Disease?
Cat scratch disease, also known as cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection caused by B. henselaebacteria. This occurs when a cat licks or scratches a person’s open wound or scrabs, or scratches or bites hard enough to tear through the skin of the individual, and the bacteria enters the body of the person.
Kittens or cats less than the age of one year are more likely to be carriers of this infection. Although it may not develop a serious illness in adults, it can be dangerous for children and immunocompromised individuals.
What Causes Cat Scratch Disease?
Most people who develop the disease provide a history of exposure to cats or especially kittens, as they are playful and not trained.
B. henselae is a bacteria that is found in cats. Cats pick up this infection from flea bites and flea dirt, which would get stuck in their nails and teeth. It may even acquire the infection from other cats that may be infected. Although it may be asymptomatic in cats, it can have major effects on humans.
The bacteria enters the body when the cat scratches or licks an open wound of a person, letting contamination through saliva, or bites or scratches hard enough to cut through the skin; bacteria enter directly into the bloodstream.
Who Is at Risk of the Disease?
Although a definite group of people cannot be described to have a risk of the disease, the factors that increase the risk of the disease include
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People having a pet cat or who are regularly in contact with a cat.
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Improper management of scabs or cat bites.
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Letting a cat lick or touch an open wound.
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Young Children.
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Immunocompromised people or people with weak immunity.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease?
The initial signs of cat scratch disease appear a few days after the scratch or bite; it may appear as a reddish-brown blister or bump at the site of the bite, which may be mistaken for an insect bite. This may persist for about one to three weeks. It is painless but may contain pus.
Within the next few weeks, the lymph nodes in the closest proximity to the site of the bite or the infected area, become swollen and tender. The skin over the swollen lymph nodes would be warm and tender. This may disappear within two to four months but persist for up to six to 12 months.
Other symptoms include :
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Fever.
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Loss of appetite.
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Headache.
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Fatigue.
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Joint pain.
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Rashes on the body.
More serious problems of cat scratch disease that affect bone, eyes, brain, heart, or other organs are usually rare and appear in young children and people with weak immunity.
How Is Cat Scratch Disease Diagnosed?
The doctor would take a complete history, and examine the body for scratches or bites and also for swollen lymph nodes. An X-Ray may be taken to check for bone fracture. The doctor may also advise a blood test to confirm the infection.
What Is the Treatment for Cat Scratch Disease?
Most cases of cat scratch disease go away without any treatment. Symptomatic treatment with over-the-counter analgesics (painkillers), anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic medicine is advised until it persists.
The doctor may sometimes perform drainage of the pus from the lymph node to ease the pain for the patient - A needle is gently inserted into the lymph node, and the pus is aspirated.
In case of a serious or systemic disease, or immunocompromised patients, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent the further spread of the infection into other organs.
What Are the Complications of Cat Scratch Disease?
Serious complications of cat scratch disease are rare and may appear in immunocompromised people (HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), cancer patients, etc.); this includes :
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Bacillary Angiomatosis: It is a skin infection caused by B. quintana and B. henselea, appearing as reddish to purple elevated nodular lesions. Bacillary Angiomatosis may become more widespread and affect the heart, spleen, brain, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
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Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome: It is an eye infection characterized by conjunctivitis (irritated, red, and painful) of one eye (also known as pink eye) and a swollen lymph node in front of the ear on the same side.
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Endocarditis: It is a heart valve lesion caused by Bartonella species.
How to Prevent the Occurrence of Cat Scratch Disease?
To avoid the occurrence of cat scratch disease, one must :
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Avoid petting or touching unfamiliar cats, especially stray cats, as they may carry the infection most often.
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Make sure to wash your hands carefully. Once you have touched a cat, wash your hands with soap and water.
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If accidentally injured or scratched by a cat, wash the area with soap and water.
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Be gentle when playing with a cat, especially a kitten, to avoid getting bitten or scratched.
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Visit the veterinarian regularly to get your pet checked regularly.
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Use doctor-advised safe products to prevent flea infestations.
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Trim the nails of the cat to avoid the accumulation of bacteria.
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Do not let the cat lick an open wound or any region around the mouth, nose, or eyes.
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Adopt a cat over the age of one or an older cat, as kittens and younger cats are more likely to have infections, especially for immunocompromised people.
When to Consult a Doctor?
Consult a doctor :
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If one has been bitten or scratched by a cat, with direct contamination into the bloodstream.
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If the redness of the wound keeps increasing and spreading.
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If there is a lymph node enlargement.
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If there is extreme pain in the lymph nodes.
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In case of high fever, that does not reduce in days after the bite or scratch.
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If there are flu-like symptoms, that include: fever, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and joint pain.
Conclusion
Cat scratch disease is most often a mild infection contracted from cats when it licks or scratches a person’s open wound or scratches or bites hard enough to tear through the skin of the person. This can be prevented by being vigilant when in contact with a cat or kitten for less than one year. However, in case of any such event, it is best advised to consult a doctor.
