CAT SCRATCH DISEASE
Cat Scratch Disease is also called “Cat Scratch Fever.” It is a disease affecting humans, not cats. The cause is a bacteria called Bartonella henselea. Most cases are diagnosed in the colder months-fall and winter. The reasoning for this is unknown.
Surveys have shown that about 5% of the U.S. population have antibodies in the blood against this disease, but have no history of clinical illness. This means they have been exposed to the Bartonella bacteria and their immune system has produced antibodies to it, but they have not become ill from the disease. In humans who do develop symptoms, the disease is usually very mild. Common signs mimic influenza, including fever, chills, and lethargy that lasts only for a few days.
A more severe form of the disease causes a high fever, anorexia, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, especially in the arm pits and groin. In rare cases, the affected lymph nodes may spontaneously rupture or require surgical drainage to establish drainage and relieve the pain. This form of the disease is typically seen in young children, the elderly or people with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV or receiving chemotherapy for cancer. In these people it can be disabling or occasionally even fatal.
The disease generally runs its course in a period of several days to several weeks. It is treated quite successfully with antibiotics once the specific causative agent has been identified. Because the disease is uncommon, however, the diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease may be overlooked in the early stages of the disease, when it appears to be a flu-like infection. Most cases seem to follow a cat scratch wound on the person. Some other facts about Cat Scratch Disease:
Adult cats are rarely involved. Infection almost always occurs from a scratch by a kitten.
The kitten appears to be contagious for only a short period of time, probably 2-3 weeks.
The bacteria live in the cat’s mouth and spread to the claws by the normal cat grooming (licking) process. Bite wounds do not appear to spread the disease, only scratches. Therefore declawing kittens at an early age is helpful to prevent potential infections. This may be recommended for kittens living in a household with someone who is immune-compromised.
The kitten can be tested for the organism with a blood test. Positive cats or kittens can be treated with antibiotics. However, reinfection can occur.
Banning cats from the household is not warranted!! It has been shown that less than 10% of family members scratched by the same cat develop the disease. Serious illness from the disease is very rare. There also is no record of a person having the disease more than once even though the cat is kept in the household.
