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