How to Identify Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by a group of bacteria known as bartonella henselae. Transmission of these microorganisms begin when an individual is scratched, bitten or in contact with the cat's saliva. Although it has not been proven, speculation is that fleas carry the bacteria and pass it on to the cats. Once the cat is infected, the bacteria settles on its saliva for months. Kittens less than a year old are more likely to carry the bacteria and transmit it to humans. Individuals with cat scratch disease may experience mild to severe manifestations of symptoms. Its severity largely depends upon the person's immune system--people who are totally healthy experience milder symptoms compared to those with weaker immune systems.

Instructions

How to Identify Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

• 1

  Observe your skin for any unusual sore. A bump or a blister termed as inoculation lesion may develop at the point of contact. It is the site where the bacteria entered the body and usually appears three to 10 days after your cat scratched, bit or licked you. Such lesion is not painful and is often situated on the arms or hands.

• 2

  Inspect the nearby surfaces of your blister for some swollen lymph nodes. Within two weeks after the bacteria enters your body, swollen lymph nodes usually appear near the site of the infection. For example, if you are scratched on you arm, lymph nodes that are situated on your armpits become tender and swollen. Lymph nodes can swell from about ½ inch to 2 inches in diameter, and the surrounding skin is colored red and is warm to touch. In some cases such swollen lymph nodes may drain pus.

• 3

  Take your temperature. A low grade fever of less then 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celcius) is often observed among one-third of individuals with cat scratch disease. This may be associated with chills, nausea, and vomiting.

• 4

  Check for other symptoms. Headaches, fatigue, overall ill feeling and discomfort are some symptoms experienced by infected individuals. Poor appetite can occur, usually followed by weight loss. In rare cases, the patient may develop serious complications such as inflammation in the retina of the eyes (irreversible retinitis), convulsions, or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)--but only people with very weak immune systems are more likely to suffer from these type of complications.