Mary Allen
Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterium that cats can transmit to humans when they scratch. Read everything about the symptoms, course, and treatment of cat scratch disease here.
Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. Up to 15 percent of all cats are infected with this bacterium, but unlike humans, they rarely get sick.
The Clinical Picture of Cat Scratch Disease
Although the bacterium is quite common among cats, humans are rarely infected: Less than one in 10,000 people will develop cat scratch disease. The disease is usually harmless and goes away on its own within a few weeks.
In some cases, however, taking antibiotics can be useful. The disease occurs worldwide, with a particularly high incidence in autumn and winter.
Cat scratch disease: symptoms
Within two to 10 days of being scratched by an infected cat, symptoms of cat scratch disease develop:
- reddish-brown nodules that are not itchy or painful
- swelling of the lymph nodes near the scratch, on the neck, and in the armpits
- fever
- loss of appetite and nausea
- exhaustion
- body, stomach, headache and sore throat
More severe symptoms such as fever and pain usually subside quickly. However, the lymph node swelling can sometimes last up to several weeks. The bacterium can be detected quickly with a blood sample. In more severe cases, painkillers and antibiotic therapy can support healing.
Cat Scratch Disease Transmission
The fact that people only so rarely contract cat scratch disease after a cat scratch is due to the transmission routes.
The cat flea acts as the main carrier between cats: it becomes infected while sucking blood and passes the pathogen on to its next four-legged victim. Humans are bitten by fleas only in exceptional cases.
If a cat scratches a human, the pathogen can get into the human’s skin via the claws. The cause is probably infected flea feces, which can also be found on the cat’s claws as a result of grooming.
Despite the rarity of the disease and its usually benign course, fleas should be combated rigorously in order to reduce the risk of transmission from cat to cat and to humans.
Cat Scratch Disease: Risk Group and Prevention
In particular, people whose immune systems are severely weakened, e.g. due to cancer treatment, HIV infection, organ transplantation, or old age, should avoid being scratched by a cat. You can do this by not forcing affection on other cats and by taking your own cat’s body signals seriously. A cat scratcher should also always be cleaned and disinfected. To be on the safe side, you should wash your hands after petting the cat.