Content
Cat scratch disease is an infection that can happen when a person is scratched by a cat infected by the bacteriaBartonella henselae, which can proliferate to inflame the blood vessel wall, leaving the injured area with a red blister characteristic of the disease and which can complicate causing cellulite, which is a type of skin infection or adenitis.
Despite being a cat-borne disease, not all cats carry the bacterium. However, as it is not possible to know whether the cat has the bacterium or not, it is important that it be taken to periodic consultations at the veterinarian for exams and deworming to be carried out, preventing this and other diseases.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cat scratch disease usually appear a few days after the scratch, the main ones being:
- Red bubble around the scratch site;
- Inflamed lymph nodes, popularly called lanes;
- High fever that can be between 38 and 40ºC;
- Pain and stiffness in the injured area;
- Lack of appetite and weight loss without apparent cause;
- Vision problems such as blurred vision and burning eyes;
- Irritability.
This disease is suspected when the person has swollen lymph nodes after being scratched by a cat. The disease can be diagnosed through a blood test that detects specific antibodies against the bacteria Bartonella henselae.
How to treat
The treatment of cat scratch disease is done with antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone, Clindamycin, according to the doctor's guidance so that the bacteria can be eliminated effectively. In addition, swollen and fluid lymph nodes can be drained with needles, so that the pain is relieved.
In the most severe cases, when the fever remains and when a lump appears in a lymph node close to the scratch site, it may be necessary to have surgery to remove the lump that forms, and a biopsy is also performed to detect the present changes. After the surgery you may need to put a drain to eliminate the secretions that may continue to come out for a few more days.
Most people who suffer from cat scratch disease recover within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Stricter monitoring is needed with patients with the HIV virus, who may have cat scratch disease more severely due to deficiency in the immune system. Therefore, it may be necessary for them to be hospitalized to treat the disease.