$Unique_ID{BRK01359}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites}
$Title{Is There Really an Illness Called "Cat-scratch Fever"?}
$Subject{cat-scratch fever}
$Volume{A}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is There Really an Illness Called "Cat-scratch Fever"?


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QUESTION:  Is there really an illness called "cat-scratch fever" Our cat seems
fine, but when my husband developed some flu like symptoms recently, the
physician made this diagnosis.  We are now concerned about the children.  Can
you tell us what you know about this weird disease?

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ANSWER:  There certainly is such an illness, now officially designated as
Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD) which for a long time had doctor's scratching their
heads in bewilderment.  Although the search went on for years, no germ could
be identified that could be considered the cause of the infection.  It wasn't
until 1983, that a gram-negative bacillus was found in the swollen lymph
glands of these patients, now called the Cat-Scratch Bacillus (what else?)
that provided the needed answer.  The illness takes from 3 to 10 days to
develop after the scratch.  A lesion filled with liquid (a pustule or vesicle)
can be found at the site of the scratch, and a single enlarged lymph node
develops in the region of the scratch, for example in the armpit for a scratch
on the arm.  Some patients report fatigue and about a third of all patients
develop a fever of 101 F or more which can last for as long as 1-2 weeks.
There is no specific treatment and antibiotics do not shorten the illness.
Since the infection does not always produce symptoms, your children may
already have been exposed to the germ, and developed an immunity to it.
Experts on the subject do not recommend that you get rid of your pet, which
only harbors the bacteria for a short time.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
