Cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease is an inflammation of the affected parts of the body in a person, resulting from a scratch or a cat bite. It flows with the decay of wounds. As a result of such a disease, regional lymphadenitis develops.

As is clear from the name of the disease, its causative agent and vector are cats, dogs, monkeys and various mammals. Such diseases are not rare. They are registered in various regions with a temperate climate. Mostly the disease flares from September to March month. Patients with this disease are almost always people under 21 years old. And their maps indicate that the bite was made by kittens.

Symptoms of cat scratch disease

A small papule appears on the site of the wound that has healed or bites. In the future, it turns into a sore. Once the causative agent of the disease penetrates through the skin into the body, the patient will begin an inflammatory process. After the inflammation of the disease, the patient's condition remains the same as before. After a lapse of 15-30 days, regional lymphadenitis is expressed. Lymph nodes change in appearance, they swell and redness occurs. Most often they become inflamed on the neck, which often leads to pain in the throat. Sometimes an infected person has a fever. A fever can occur, it will last up to a month, and possibly more. There is a weakness in the body for about two weeks.

A person suffering from this disease can experience lymphadenopathy, at a time that can inflame the lymph nodes located under the arms and on the neck. Symptoms worse may occur, for example, problems with the spleen and liver, they can increase by several weeks.

After the appearance of problems with the lymph nodes, a person may notice some anxiety from the nervous system. Apathy, clouding of consciousness may occur. In rare cases, even a coma is possible.

Also, a patient with cat scratch disease may have brain damage, possibly bone tissue inflammation, vision impairment, usually only one eye, which eventually passes without any intervention. May grow those knots that are under the jaw and behind the ears.

For people with immunodeficiency disease will bring rapid fatigue, headache, weight loss may occur. Also, there may be a violation of behavior, identification of objects.

To detect the disease, it is necessary to undergo an examination with a doctor, take the necessary tests and be treated promptly. To determine the disease, you need to undergo such tests:

• to pass a total blood test;
• make a sample from the skin with a specific antigen;
• ELISA;
• PCR;
• surrender lymph node material to histological examination.

Forecasts for convalescence

Diseases tend to go away without any treatment, but this will happen within 2-4 months.

If properly treated, she does not stop bothering the patient. If a person again has symptoms of cat scratch disease, he will definitely be given a course of antibiotics to eliminate relapse.

Methods for treating cat scratch

If the disease passes without any complications, the doctor should prescribe erythromycin or doxycycline. But if the disease affects the internal organs or bones, the purpose of the medications will be the same, but only with an increase in the dose and prolongation of the course.

There are no means to prevent a cat scratch disease, but just in case you need to disinfect the affected area. Remember that you do not need to make contact with animals. If you have four-legged friends at home, then be always on the alert. Rinse all scratches and bites with soap and a brush. Particular care should be taken with small kittens, they are the largest vectors of the disease. If you already had such cases in your family, then as practice shows, the second time can not be. Keep track of your pets. In time, bathe them, do all the planned vaccinations and procedures.

But you should never avoid contact with a patient who has contracted this disease in a way that is not transmitted from person to person.