Cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection. The disease has been named because of infection of cats and the transmission of a type of bacteria called Hinella peritoneus to these people.

Symptoms of disease scratch the piece

Common symptoms that may occur when a cat scratch disease:

There is a bubble or bump in place of the cat bite or scratching place.

The presence of swollen lymph nodes near the place of bite or scratching.

Fatigue.

Headaches.

Fever, which is higher than 37 degrees Celsius and less than 38 degrees Celsius.

Itchy skin.

Less common symptoms of cat scratch disease

Anorexia.

Weight loss.

Sore throat.

Rare symptoms of cat scratch disease

Symptoms that may be associated with more severe diseases, and symptoms that may appear:

Back pain.

Chills.

Tummy ache.

Joint pain.

Skin rash.

Fever.

The bump or bubble can appear on the skin at the site of infection within 3 to 10 days after exposure, and other symptoms that may develop swollen lymph nodes, and may appear only after several days or weeks, and swollen lymph nodes specifically between one to three weeks . Some cases may be mixed with cat scratch disease:

Inflammation of the lymph nodes, a disease that causes swelling of the lymph nodes.

Fever fever, an infection that migrates to humans, and symptoms resemble cold symptoms, and symptoms of swollen lymph nodes.

Lymphoma, a sexually transmitted infection, causes the appearance of skin lesions at the site of infection. Skin lesions can turn into pills or bubbles, followed by swollen lymph nodes.

Lyme disease, an infection with initial symptoms such as a rash around the eye before the onset of cold-like symptoms.

Symptoms of cat scratch disease in cats

Cats can carry H. pylori, but cats do not get sick from exposure to bacteria. For this reason, we can not tell if the cats are carriers of the disease or not. Cats usually catch infections from infected fleas, and in rare cases people may get infected with fleas. According to the National Center for Disease Control, about 40 percent of cats carry bacterial infections during a part of their lives, and cats are not recommended.

Complications of cat scratch disease

There are many complications that can occur, but they are rare and include:

Encephalopathy

Brain encephalopathy is a disease in the brain, which can occur as a result of the spread of bacteria inside the brain, and in some cases may cause permanent brain damage or death.

Optic neuritis and retina

It is an injury to the optic nerve and retina, which causes clogged vision, and can occur when the bacteria causing the cat scratch disease to move to the eye, and improve vision after the disappearance of infection.

Bone inflammation

Bone inflammation is a viral infection in the bones that causes bone damage. In some cases, bone damage can be so severe that bone amputation is necessary.

Parino syndrome

Barino's syndrome is an eye disease with symptoms similar to red eye disease. Cat's scratch disease is one of the most common causes of this syndrome. The syndrome can occur because of the hemorrhagic bronchialella, which enters the eye directly or travels through the bacteria passing through the blood stream The eye, usually responds well to the treatment using antibiotics. In rare cases surgery is necessary in order to remove the infected tissue inside the eye.

Causes of cat scratch disease

You can get a cat scratch disease from being scratched or bitten by an infected cat. The infection can be transmitted through the saliva of infected cats or through an open wound, or through the white area of ​​the eye. In a few cases, the infection may be transmitted by fleas or Bacteria carrying the bacteria that cause the disease, can not move the disease of scratching the cat from person to person.

Risk factors of cat scratch disease

Anyone who deals with or owns cats is susceptible to cat scratch disease. The disease is spread among children between the ages of five and nine, and most of the people who have been forced to stay in the hospital for treatment have been male, while most of those diagnosed with the disease were women.

You are at high risk of contracting the disease if you have a weakened immune system, including pregnant women or people with:

cancer.

Diabetes.

HIV or AIDS.

Cultivated Members.

Prevention of cat scratch disease

Cat scratch can be avoided by avoiding dealing with cats and avoiding coarse toys that may cause you to scratch or bite. Keep cats cut to minimize scratching, and hand washing after playing with cats may help prevent the disease. Do not allow the cat to lick or scratch your eyes, as well as your mouth, or open wounds, as you and your pet should avoid wild cats.

Keep your cat inside and keep it clean of fleas to reduce the risk of infection with H. pylori. Control fleas in your home through repeated cleaning, if necessary, designate a pest control company. The risk of infection can be reduced by adopting large cats at a time when small cats are more likely to become infected.

Diagnosis of cat scratch disease

If your doctor doubts that you have a cat scratch, your doctor will check your body. Cat-scratch disease is a disease that is difficult to diagnose only through symptoms. The doctor can perform a thorough examination by conducting a blood test called the polymerase chain reaction to determine whether or not hepatitis B is present in the body.

Treatment of cat scratch disease

Cat-scratch disease is a non-serious disease that does not require treatment. Antibiotics can help treat people with severe cat-scratch disease or who have weakened immune systems.

Azithromycin is used to reduce the size of the lymph nodes quickly, usually prescribed for five days, and may be used some other antibiotics to treat the infection of cats scratch disease, and these types:

Ciprofloxacin.

Rifampicin.

Tetracycline.

Trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole.

The number of times the drug and dose is different depends on the patient's condition, but it can last for five to two weeks. Talk to your doctor about the possibility that these medications may interfere, and alcohol may affect these medications.

Swelling and swelling can last for a period of one to three weeks. Swelling of the lymph nodes usually disappears within a period of two to four months, but can last from six months to a year or more and may cause other complications.

Consult your doctor

The cat scratch disease usually disappears on its own, but some cases may require consultation with a doctor. Contact your doctor if you or your child have been scratched or bitten.

Swelling or pain in the lymph nodes.

Infection is not cured within several days.

The redness around the wound, it seems to expand.

Fever appears after biting several days.

If you are diagnosed with cat scratch, you should contact your doctor if you feel:

Increase the pain of the lymph nodes.

High fever.

Feeling tired.

New symptoms appear

What to expect in the long term

Most people get better without treatment, and people who need treatment usually get better with antibiotics. In some cases, some have serious complications from bacteria. These complications occur in people with weakened immune systems.