| Is it possible for my child to catch cat scratch fever | | | | this bacteria. It is believed that this bacteria does not |
| from my cat or kitten? Is there really a cat scratch | | | | harm cats. Cats appear to get this bacteria through |
| fever disease? The answer is yes and yes. Cat | | | | infected fleas. Young cats and kittens are more likely |
| scratch fever is a legitimate disease and your child | | | | to be able to transmit this infection. |
| can catch it from your cat or kitten from a scratch | | | | This disease is not generally considered dangerous to |
| or a bite. Cat Scratch fever is carried in your cat or | | | | humans, although personally, if my child had it I would |
| kittens saliva. The cat can transmit this disease | | | | be very concerned. The disease seems to be easier |
| through a scratch if it has been licking or cleaning his | | | | to catch in the fall or winter for some reason. |
| paws. Rarely, a dog may even carry this bacteria. | | | | Children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old |
| If you think that you or your child has been exposed | | | | seem to be the most susceptible. |
| to or is suffering from CSF, your smart move is to | | | | You can identify a potential CSF infection if one or |
| consult your physician who can help pinpoint the | | | | more of the following is present. |
| cause and prescribe proper treatment. This article is | | | | *Pimples that arise at the site of a bite or scratch |
| for your additional information only. I feel that it is | | | | injury, they can last one to four weeks. |
| always smart to do your homework before you | | | | *Lymph nodes nearby the injury may swell and feel |
| consult your physician. | | | | tender. |
| CSF is one of those diseases that was easily tracked | | | | *A cat scratch or bite that does not seem to heal in |
| to cat scratches, but scientists could not prove or | | | | the usual span of time. |
| identify the actual cause of the problem until recently. | | | | *Redness around the wound that lasts for more then |
| It has been proven that this disease is caused by the | | | | several days. |
| bacterium Bartonella. The bacteria can be passed | | | | *Fever that arises after injury from a cat. |
| from cats or kittens to humans through scratches | | | | *Headache and/or decreased appetite and/or bone |
| and sometimes bites. It is believed that you can even | | | | or joint pain after injury from a cat. |
| transfer this bacteria to your eyes, without a scratch | | | | *Abdominal pain and/or lethargy after injury from a |
| or bite because your cat can carry this bacteria in his | | | | cat. |
| saliva. | | | | CSF clears up by itself without treatment in most |
| The obvious ways to avoid this disease is to not get | | | | people. Again, I personally would be vary wary when |
| bitten or scratched and to wash your hands after | | | | it concerns a child and I would consult my physician. |
| handling your cat or kitten or his belongings. Also, try | | | | The disease can be diagnosed with a blood test. A |
| to be sure that fleas are not present. If you are | | | | skin test was once used but it is currently considered |
| scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area with | | | | unreliable. Treatment for cat scratch fever are often |
| soap and running water right away. This can help. | | | | Zithromax or Biaxin. Both treatments have been |
| It is estimated that approximately 40% of cats carry | | | | shown to shorten the length of the illness. |