Q: A friend of mine was diagnosed yesterday with “cat-scratch disease.” What the heck is that? My medical reference books have nothing on it.
A: Cat-scratch disease is an acute localized infection at the site of a cat scratch or bite, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. The injury may not be readily apparent. The infection is most often seen in children and young adults with cats.
HIV-infected people and lice-infested homeless people are also at greater risk for Bartonella infection. The infected cat usually shows no sign of illness.
A week or so after the injury, a lesion like a small boil can be seen at the scratch site. A couple of weeks later, the lymph node or nodes around the site usually become swollen and tender, and there can be a general feeling of fever and illness.
About 10 percent of infected people have other symptoms, such as eye problems that cause visual changes (neuroretinitis), and brain swelling, which may produce headache and stupor.
A biopsy of an affected lymph node or a blood test for B. henselae antibodies is the only way to be sure of the diagnosis. Fortunately, only rarely do serious complications set in with cat-scratch disease, and the symptoms usually go away without medical treatment within a few weeks.
Self-care treatment consists of applying heat to the inflamed area and taking pain relievers. If the boil-like lesion at the site of the infection becomes red, swollen and painful, it may require lancing. Antibiotics can be given in severe cases, such as in people with AIDS or others with weakened immune systems.
Most animals with which we come in contact harbor many infectious organisms that are transmittable to humans. Household pets such as dogs and cats are often the culprits, but barnyard animals and wild animals can also transmit infectious disease to people.
Direct contact with these animals, or with ticks and fleas from them, is not always necessary to acquire the infection. Walking barefoot, especially with a cut on the foot, in contaminated soil may result in an infection. Children are at special risk during the summer.
People who are around pets or other animals should learn about any transmittable diseases these animals might have, which ones are serious and which are not, and how to deal with any resultant infection.HEALTH LINELettersWrite to Dr. Douma in care of the Chicago Tribune, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
———-
Write to Dr. Douma in care of the Chicago Tribune, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
