Fleas are often what transmit the bacteria from cat to cat but the cat itself will not suffer any ill effects. Flea control will help to prevent the problem as although nobody is quite sure how cats get the infection. Eliminate the fleas from your cat and the risk of your cat carrying the bacteria is minimized.
How we get it
It is given to humans via a cat bite, scratch or by the cat licking an open wound of a human. Kittens are the most likely to have the bacteria and it is believed that around 40% of all cats will carry the bacteria at some time in their lives.
Carried in cats the world over
It is not localized to any particular area of the world it is an international disease.
It is rarely serious and children and people with immune system problems are most at risk. However to a HIV suffer or a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, the condition can be more serious.
A person with HIV could develop abnormal blood vessel growth and form tumors the name of this condition is bacillary angiomatosis, inflammation of organs including bone marrow , liver, lungs, brain and spleen, brain with the end result could be fatal if untreated.
Kittens are much more likely to be the ones that carry the bacteria and it is said that in the United States approximately 22,000 cases are diagnosed each year.
No symptoms for days
Roughly 10 days after the bite or scratch a blister or possibly a small lump or lumps like pimples will appear at the area the bite or scratch took place. This is how it stays for 1 to 4 weeks. Then the nearest lymph node to where the scratch or bite was will swell usually and possibly ooze clear liquid or pus. These lymph nodes are round the head, neck and upper limbs, often in the armpits.
As the bacteria progresses, the sufferer may become tired and listless and fell generally unwell with loss of appetite as well as fever and nausea.
With the fever commonly associated with cat scratch fever, you must be mindful that if your temperature goes over 101 Fahrenheit seek the help of an emergency department. Headache can often be a symptom of cat scratch fever and your doctor should be able to help you with medication to relieve this.
Prevention
Avoid being scratched or bitten by never playing too excitedly with a cat and putting yourself in line to be scratched or bitten, playful or otherwise. We all know how far to take a game with a cat before they lash out so try and avoid this happening and encourage children especially to not be to playful with a cat. Avoid being licked as they can infect an open wound with Bartonella henselae very easily. Wash the area with soap and water.
If you are scratched or bitten by your or any cat and symptoms develop see a doctor who can easily treat you with anti biotic.
More information on cat scratch fever can be found here.