How To Treat And Prevent Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease, alternatively called cat scratch fever, is caused by the bite or scratch of a domestic cat that is carrying the B. henselae bacterium on its claws or teeth. Cats are natural hosts for the bacteria. This means cats are usually immune to the bacteria and don't display symptoms of the illness. Close to half of all cats will carry the bacteria at some point in their lives, but it's more common in when they are kittens. The bacteria is typically passed to cats from fleas. Symptoms in humans include a bump where the bacteria entered the body, body aches, low fever, and headache. Antibiotic therapy generally clears the infection quickly.