
Serious but rare complications PeopleĪlthough rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. The germ can also spread when infected cats lick at wounds or scabs that you may have. The germ spreads to people when infected cats bite or scratch a person hard enough to break their skin. Cats can also become infected by fighting with other cats that are infected. By scratching and biting at the fleas, cats pick up the infected flea dirt under their nails and between their teeth. henselae from flea bites and flea dirt (droppings) getting into their wounds. How cats and people become infectedĬats can get infected with B.
#CAT SCRATCH FEVER SYMPTOMS HOW TO#
Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while they play and learn how to attack prey. henselae infection and to spread the germ to people. Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to have B. henselae at some time in their lives, although most cats with this infection show NO signs of illness.

Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat scratch disease or infection.ĬSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water. Later, the person’s lymph nodes near the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful. A person with CSD may also have a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion. The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin.

An enlarged lymph node in the armpit region of a person with cat scratch disease, and partially healed wounds from a cat scratch on the hand.Ĭat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats.
