Cat Scratch Disease - The Symptoms of Infection

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that originates from the bacteria present in cat saliva. It is usually transmitted to humans through licking, biting, or scratching, hence the name. You do not actually have to be scratched or bitten, as most people who suffer the condition do not recall being bitten or scratched. It is not a severe condition, but care must be taken if the person in question is elderly, very young, or has a weakened immune system. The symptoms of cat scratch disease, which will be discussed below, usually form anywhere from a few days to a week after infection.

Check the area surrounding any visible wounds that may have been caused by the cat. If it is due to physical injury, this would be the point where the person was scratched or bitten. If the person is suffering from cat scratch disease, the wound will be very slow to heal. There will also be an area of redness and swelling around the point of injury that does not go away for several days.

Determine whether or not there is any swelling in the lymph nodes near this area. This will be the primary symptom that you will want to look for, and is usually the one that people notice first. If the swelling is accompanied by severe pain, or if it does not go away after two weeks, seek medical attention.

Check for fever. As with any bacterial infection, fever will most likely be present.

Determine whether there are any signs of pain. People will generally report a nonspecific sense of overall discomfort or malaise that seems to hang on. It is also usually accompanied by a prolonged fatigue, lack of energy, and lack of motivation to do much. Headache is also very common.

Check for less common symptoms that may be present. They include: sore throat, weight loss, and lack of appetite. The unfortunate truth about these symptoms is that they are common to quite a few different conditions, so no diagnosis can be based on their presence alone.

It is difficult for a person without medical training to diagnose cat scratch disease on their own, but in most cases, it will not be a cause for concern. Most people with normal immune systems will recover quickly with no treatment. If the person is very young, old, or is suffering from another condition that weakens the immune system, antibiotics may be recommended in order to clear up the infection.