cat scratch disease

cat scratch disease

n.

An infectious disease that may follow the scratch or bite of a cat, producing localized inflammation of lymph nodes and a low-grade fever. Also called benign inoculation lymphoreticulosis, cat scratch fever.

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cat scratch disease

Cat scratch fever A self-limited regional lymphadenitis of children/adolescents, caused by close contact with or being scratched by household pets; 95% are due to cats–especially kittens, 5% to dogs Epidemiology ± 22,000/yr–US 2,000 hospitalizations; most cases occur in those under age 20, more common in ♂, often in fall and winter; fleas may be vectors Clinical Erythematous papules at the inoculation sites, eg hands and forearms, anorexia, malaise, fever, parotid swelling, maculopapular rashes, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, encephalopathy Diagnosis Hx, indirect fluorescence for antibodies to Rochalimaea henselae Treatment Gentamycin, ciprofloxacin. Cf Bacillary angiomatosis.

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Patient discussion about cat scratch disease.

Q. Is there any information out there regarding a severe allergy to cat scratches? Is there any information out there regarding a severe allergy to cat scratches? I am not referring to "cat scratch fever" disease, but an allergy where the site of the scratch becomes swollen and red, and the person has hives and trouble breathing. Thanks so much!

A. Greetings Humble Earthling! It sounds like you have two or more things going on. First, cat scratch fever is caused by a parasite and comes on 1 to 2 weeks after the scratch. Allergic reactions are immediate.
Now, if the site of the scratch is swollen and red, that could be due to minor infection and just the process of healing.