Ten Facts About Cat Scratch Fever

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #1)

Cat scratch fever is not only a song, (a classic at that!) but also an infectious bacteria disease most commonly brought on by a bite or scratch by a feline.

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #2)

Henri Parinaud first mentioned Cat Scratch Fever (CSF) in medical literature in 1889. However, Dr. Robert Debre is the primary doctor to assign, in 1931, its name upon discovering that felines are the vectors- carrier organisms of the disease. 

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #3)

CSF is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. Initially CSF was thought to be caused by the Afipia felis organism but this was disproved when patients suffering from this disease developed antibodies to the Bartonella henselae bacteria.

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #4)

Kittens more so than adult cats are the primary carriers of the bacteria; consequently kittens are more likely to convey the disease to others than adult cats.

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #5)

Have you been bitten or scratched by a cat or kitten? DO not panic and automatically think the worse! Symptoms of this disease are slight fever, headache, backache, chills, and general malaise. Is the area of the bite or scratch red and swollen? Can you see the infection working its way upwards or downwards to your lymph nodes? Are your lymph nodes swollen?

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #6)

Sometimes symptoms do not show themselves for seven days to two months after the incident.

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #7)

The majority of CSF cases are benign and can clear on their own. Sometimes swollen lymph nodes take longer to dispel. Treatment is not always needed.

Ten facts about Cat Scratch Fever #8)

Is someone is immunocompromised, the chance for more severe complications do arise. If you are immunocompromised and receive a cat scratch or bite, monitor it closely. Go to the doctor and apprise the staff of the situation.