We all love cats and kittens, right? We love to watch their cuteness and play. Although playing with them and petting them often brings us joy, sometimes these animals can unknowingly transmit certain diseases to us. Today, we are going to talk about a disease that can be transmitted from cats, but is not very well known. This is called "Cat Scratch Disease".
What is Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)? Simply put...
Simply put, Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is an infection caused by a bacteria called `(Bartonella henselae)`. You can get it if a cat scratches you, bites you, or licks a wound on your body. The main symptoms of this disease are swollen glands (also called `(lymph nodes)` by doctors), small bumps on the skin (`(papules)`), and fever.
Is this common? Is it that serious?
Actually, this disease called `(CSD)` is not that common. For example, in a country like America, only about 12,000 people get this disease per year. That means it could be even less in Sri Lanka.
The best thing is that most of the time this disease is not very serious and gets better without any special treatment. However, very rarely, that is, only a small number of people, about 500 per year, develop complications and have to be hospitalized. So, there is nothing to fear, but it is very important to be aware.
Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?
Anyone who interacts with cats can develop this ``(CSD)''. However, research has found that this disease is more common in children under the age of 15. This is because young children are more likely to be scratched and bitten by cats when they play with them, handle them, and sometimes even get scratched and bitten by them.
Another important point is that if you are infected with `(HIV)` or if your immune system is weakened for any other reason, you are at higher risk of developing serious complications from this disease. Therefore, such people should be a little more careful when dealing with their cats.
What are the symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)?
These symptoms usually begin to appear between 3 and 10 days after a cat is bitten or injured. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are:
- Small bumps or blisters (papules) may appear on the skin, or they may look like a rash: These are usually found near the area where the cat scratched. Sometimes they may be red and slightly raised.
- Swollen and painful lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy): This is one of the main symptoms of this disease. The nodes closest to the scratch (for example, the armpit nodes if the hand is scratched) may become swollen and painful to the touch.
- Fever: You may feel a little hot.
- Body pain: Pain may occur in the muscles, bones, and joints.
- Loss of appetite or weight loss: A feeling of not wanting to eat, which can lead to weight loss.
- Physical fatigue: You may simply feel tired and lifeless.
Imagine, a few days after your little one played with a kitten, a small blister appears on the scratched area of their hand, a lump in their armpit is swollen, and they also have a slight fever. At times like these, you have to think about this `(CSD)`.
What causes this? How does it spread?
As we mentioned earlier, the cause of this disease `(CSD)` is a bacterium called `(Bartonella henselae).` Now let's see how this bacterium is transmitted to cats and from cats to us.
This bacteria is transmitted to cats by fleas. The amazing thing is that cats (especially kittens) can carry this bacteria for months without showing any symptoms. This means that your cat can have this bacteria on their body even if they appear healthy.
Then, the bacteria is transmitted to us through the cat's saliva . This means that if the cat scratches you, bites you, or gets its saliva on a wound on your body, you can get the infection.
Some people think that a direct bite from a flea can cause this disease, but this has not yet been proven.
How does a doctor recognize this?
If you have symptoms of `(CSD)`, a doctor will usually do the following:
- Physical examination:
- Your scratch or wound (if any) will be examined.
- Check the skin for a rash or bumps.
- They will feel your nipples and check if they are swollen or painful.
- Often, the disease can be diagnosed with just this physical examination.
- Sometimes, a doctor may also:
- A blood sample is taken and tested to see if the bacteria (B. henselae) is present.
- Very rarely, a sample of fluid from a swollen blister can be taken and tested for the presence of this bacteria.
How is it treated?
Most of the time, CSD resolves on its own without any specific treatment . Therefore, doctors usually only help reduce the symptoms.
However, if your immune system is weak, or if your symptoms don't improve after about two months, a doctor may give you an antibiotic like azithromycin. This will try to kill the bacteria.
How to control symptoms at home?
There are some simple things you can do at home to help manage symptoms:
- Take painkillers: For fever and body aches, use an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®) or naproxen (e.g., Aleve®). However, it is best to consult a doctor.
- Apply a warm compress to painful blisters: Soak a clean cloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it over the painful blister. This may help relieve some of the pain.
If your cyst is very swollen and causing unbearable pain, you can talk to a doctor and ask if they can drain some of the fluid.
How to protect yourself from this? Prevention methods
There are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself from this disease (CSD) while living with cats:
- Try to avoid getting scratched or bitten by cats: Be careful when playing with cats and handling them. Don't play in a way that might scare or upset them.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after playing with, holding, or touching the cat.
- Try to keep your cat indoors: Cats that go outside have a harder time avoiding fleas. They are more likely to be protected from fleas when they are indoors.
- Don't touch or pick up stray cats and kittens on the streets. We don't know what kind of diseases they have.
- Don't let your cat lick your scratches and wounds.
- Ask your veterinarian how to protect your cat from fleas. There are medications and methods that work for this.
- If your immune system is weak, it's best to adopt a cat over a year old instead of a kitten , as kittens are more likely to have this bacteria.
How is the future of this disease?
Most of the time, CSD is a self- limiting disease. That is, it gets better on its own without any complications or long-term effects. However, in a very small number of people, the disease can spread to other organs and cause more serious conditions.
How long can this last?
The main symptom of CSD is swollen gums, which can last from two to eight weeks . But it usually gets better on its own.
What are the possible serious complications?
Although these are rare, they are important to be aware of. If CSD spreads to other organs, the following complications can occur:
- Endocarditis: This is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. This can cause symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, chest pain, and night sweats. This can be a life-threatening condition.
- Hepatosplenomegaly: This is when your liver and spleen become swollen. This can cause stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome: In this condition, the conjunctiva becomes red and inflamed, and the glands near the ear also become swollen.
- Neuroretinitis: Inflammation of the eye and optic nerve. This can cause vision loss.
- Encephalopathy: Problems with brain function. This can cause confusion, severe headaches, and sometimes seizures.
I didn't mention these complications to scare you, but it's good to have a little understanding about such things.
How do I take care of myself?
If a cat scratches or bites you, the first thing to do is to clean the wound thoroughly . Wash it with soap and water. Then pay close attention to the wound. Look for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus) or signs of ``CSD'' (swelling of the skin, fever). If you notice any of these, see a doctor immediately.
At what point should a cat see a doctor?
If you notice any of these things, it's a good idea to see a doctor after a cat has a seizure:
- If the scratch does not heal, or if the redness around it persists for more than two days.
- If you have a fever for several days.
- If the scrotum is painfully swollen.
- If you have pain in your muscles, bones, or joints.
When do you need to go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
If your wound is not healing and you are showing signs that the infection has spread to other parts of your body, you should go to an emergency room immediately. Such signs include:
- High fever.
- Confusion of mind.
- Severe headache.
- Seizures.
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing.
- Stomach pain with nausea or vomiting.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, it's helpful to ask questions like these:
- Is it okay for me to take antibiotics?
- What other symptoms should I look out for?
- When should I come see you again?
- In what situations should I call you or go to the emergency room?
Can cats that live at home also get this disease?
Cats are infected with the bacteria `(B. henselae)` from fleas, so a cat that never goes outside and stays indoors is unlikely to develop this disease. However, if your cat has had fleas before, or if you have a new cat (especially a kitten), he may also have this `(B. henselae)` infection. Therefore, it is very important to protect even indoor cats from fleas.
Does a cat need to get a tetanus shot?
A cat does not usually need to receive a tetanus vaccine. However, it is very important to have the initial series and booster shots at the appropriate times to protect against tetanus, as tetanus is more likely to be contracted through other means than cat scratching.
The most important things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, "Cat Scratch Fever" or `(CSD)` is a real disease. But, cat lovers, there is nothing to fear. There are simple ways to protect yourself and your beloved cat from such infections. Staying clean, being careful when interacting with cats, and protecting your cat from fleas are the most important things.
If you think you have symptoms of `(CSD)`, be sure to see a doctor. He or she will give you the necessary advice and monitor you for any complications.
` Cat-borne diseases, Cat Scratch Disease, CSD, Bartonella henselae, Cat scratch fever, Cat health
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