How do you treat a cat scratch ?

 Cat Scratch 



Cat scratch disease or felinosis is an infectious disease that most often  results from a scratch or bite of a cat . symptoms typically include  a non painful bump or blisters at the site of injury and painful and swollen lymph nodes  . People may feel tired, have a headache , or a fever . Cat scratch disease is caused by the  bacterium bartonella henselae which is believed to be spread by the cat's saliva . Occasionally dog scratches or bites may be involved , Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms . The primary treatment is supportive . Antibiotics  speed healing and are recommended in those with  severe disease or immune problems .  Recovery typically occurs within 4 months but can require a year . It is more common in children . 

What are the sign and symptoms of cat scratch ?

Cat scratch disease commonly presents as tender , swollen lymph  nodes near the site of the inoculating bite or scratch or on the neck, and is usually limited to one side . This condition is referred to as regional lymphadenopathy most commonly occurs in the axilla , arms , neck , or jaw , but may form at the site of initial infection . 



Most people also develop systemic symptoms such as malaise decreased appetite , and aches . Other associated complaints include headache , chills , muscular pains , joint pains , arthritis backache , and abdominal pain . it may take 7 to 14 days , or as long as two months , for symptoms to appear. The disease usually resolves spontaneously , with  or without treatment , in one month .  People who are immunocompromised are susceptible to other condition associated , such as bacillary angiomatosis or bacillary peliosis . The liver and spleen are primarily affected , with findings of blood filled cystic spaces on pathology

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How to treat cat scratch ?

Most healthy people clear the infection without treatment , but in 5 to 14% of individuals , the organisms disseminate and infect the liver , spleen , eye , or central nervous system . Although some experts recommend not treating typical CSD in immunocompetent people  with mild to moderate  illness , treatment  of all  people with antimicrobial agents  is suggested  due to the  probability of disseminated disease . The prefered antibiotic for treatment is azithromycin , since this agent  is the only one studied in a randomized controlled study . 

However doxycycline is preferred to treat infection with optic neuritis due to its ability to adequately the tissue  of the eye and central nervous system . 

What are the prevention of cat scratch ?

Cat scratch disease can be primarily prevented by taking effective flea control measures since cats  are mostly exposed to fleas when they are outside , keeping cats  inside can help prevent infestation . Cats which are carrying the bacterium B . henselas are asymptomatic , thus throughly washing  hands  after  handling a cat or cat faces is an important factor in preventing potential cat scratch disease transmission  from possibly infected cats to human . 


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