Cat Scratch Disease

Overview

Cat scratch disease: An infectious disease transmitted through a cat's bite, scratch or lick and resulting primarily in lymph node pain and swelling. The condition can be mild or severe

Symptoms

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Cat scratch disease includes the 25 symptoms listed below: * Mild fever * Local swelling near cat scratch * Local infection * Swollen lymph nodes * Headache * Fever * Flu-like symptoms * Fever * Headache * Chills * Backache * Anorexia * Abdominal pain * Altered mental status * Convulsions * Localized ulceration * Localized skin redness * Localized vesicles * Localized pustules * Enlarged lymph nodes * Tender skin * Hot skin * Red skin * Lymph node pain * Lymph node swelling

Causes

* Infection is the most common cause –Viral (e.g., influenza, HIV, hepatitis, herpes simplex encephalitis, mononucleosis, adenovirus) –Bacterial (e.g., pneumonia, endocarditis, tuberculosis, meningitis, pyelonephritis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, cellulitis) –Lyme disease –Malaria –Syphilis –Tularemia –Intra-abdominal abscess * Malignancy –Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's) –Lymphoproliferative disorders –Renal cell carcinoma –Leukemia –Hepatocellular carcinoma * Rheumatologic disorders –Temporal arteritis/giant cell arteritis –Adult-onset Still's disease –Systemic lupus erythematosus –Sarcoidosis –Rheumatoid arthritis * Drug fever –Often temporally associated with the initiation of a new medicine –Often associated with a rash (biopsy reveals leukocytoclastic vasculitis) –Eosinophilia is common * Pulmonary embolism –Mild fever is often present –Other findings of thromboembolic disease (e.g., leg swelling, dyspnea) may be present # Osteomyelitis # Occult abscess # Malignant hypothermia

Diagnosis

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Cat scratch disease includes: * Lymph node biopsy

Treatment

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Cat scratch disease includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans. * Rest * Fluids * Symptomatic treatment * Pain relief medications * Antibiotics