10 Cat Scratch Fever Symptoms

By leslie

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. ’Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae infection).’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html
• 2. ’Cat-Scratch Disease.’ American Academy of Family Physicians. https://familydoctor.org/condition/cat-scratch-disease
• 3. ’Cat Scratch Disease.’ MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/catscratchdisease.html
• 4. ’Cat Scratch Disease.’ Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cat-scratch-disease
• 5. Giladi M; Maman E; Paran D; Bickels J et al. ‘Cat Scratch Disease Associated arthropathy. ’Arthritis and Rheumatism Nov 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16255053

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Cat Scratch Fever, also called Cat Scratch Disease or CSD, is an infection passed to humans by a bite or scratch from a cat infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. Cats bite and scratch at the fleas that carry the bacteria and transfer it to their claws and teeth. Open wounds can be infected by a cat licking them.

About 40% of cats, especially kittens, carry the Bartonella bacteria.¹’Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae infection).’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html Rough play increases the chance that infection will happen. Outward symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever appear about three to 14 days after exposure. The infection in humans is typically mild, but it can cause serious complications.

Symptoms at the Site of the Cat Scratch or Bite

The early symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever appear at the site of the wound, which may appear swollen and red with raised bumps, sores or blisters. These symptoms generally appear within three to 10 days after the scratching incident. The lesion on the skin may take a long time to heal, even after other symptoms are gone.²’Cat-Scratch Disease.’ American Academy of Family Physicians. https://familydoctor.org/condition/cat-scratch-disease

Secondary infections can be caused by other bacteria or viruses entering the open wound. To prevent secondary infection, it's important to keep the wound clean and dry. Treatment may include antibiotics, although most cases are mild and resolve without treatment.