Presentation
Entire Body System
- Swelling
Signs of infection would appear at the wound site and could include increased pain, redness, swelling and a purulent discharge. [eu.rgj.com]
After another 1 to 7 weeks, swelling of lymph glands in the region of the scratch will occur. For example, if the scratch is on the arm, glands in the armpit on the same side of the body will swell. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
Carlsen said the lesson is that people need to be careful of cat bites and monitor them for swelling and redness. "It may look like a pin prick, but rule of thumb go see a doctor if a cat bites your hand," Carlsen said. [eu.usatoday.com]
They may also be febrile, and swelling around the wound may occur. Because the wound from the bite may heal too quickly over the punctures, it may need to be opened and explored. [en.wikipedia.org]
- Pain
In fact, infection can set in from an organism that is contracted from a bite, leading to worry as well as pain. [eu.rgj.com]
The pain almost drove me up the wall." According to the study patients with bites directly over the wrist or any joint have a higher risk of hospitalization. [eu.usatoday.com]
A detailed and thorough history including details of symptoms such as pain, loss of function, drainage, fever, and chills is necessary. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The lymph glands are usually painful, and may be as large as 6 cm in diameter. A mild fever is not uncommon and, very rarely, other symptoms may occur. The infection may be more serious in people who have problems with their immune system. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
In people, pasteurellosis causes painful wound and skin infections. In severe cases, it can cause widespread infection and might even affect the nervous system. Rabies, a fatal neurologic disease in animals and people, is caused by a virus. [en.wikipedia.org]
- Animal Bite
There are scanty reports of animal bite injuries to the orofacial region. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Rabies, a fatal neurologic disease in animals and people, is caused by a virus. Animals and people are most commonly infected through bites from rabid animals. [en.wikipedia.org]
Useful links Animal bites and scratches Image - Lesion of cat-scratch disease, skin of thumb. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control/Emory University; Dr. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
- Cat Scratch
Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. How cat-scratch disease is spread Most people with cat-scratch disease have a history of bites, scratches or other contact with cats, especially cats less than 1 year old. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
[…] bitten or scratched by cats is limited because most of these incidents are not reported; however, 20%–80% of cat bites and scratches become infected. [17] Cat-scratch disease or cat-scratch fever, an infection that causes fever and swollen lymph nodes [en.wikipedia.org]
Additionally, about 20 percent of cat scratches become infected, whether stiches are needed or not. Torvinen said she treats people more frequently for cat scratches than for cat bites, however. [eu.rgj.com]
Cat bites tend to be penetrating wounds and scratch injuries, with a higher risk for certain infections. 4 Controversies remain about the use of antibiotics and the best way of avoiding infections after an animal bite. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Fever
Other signs of infection can include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and severe fatigue, according to Torvinen. In short, cleaning a wound and keeping an eye on it afterward are both essential steps in care. [eu.rgj.com]
A mild fever is not uncommon and, very rarely, other symptoms may occur. The infection may be more serious in people who have problems with their immune system. Image courtesy CDC/ Emory Univ.; Dr. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
an infection that causes fever and swollen lymph nodes, can develop from cat scratches even if they only break the surface of the skin. [en.wikipedia.org]
A detailed and thorough history including details of symptoms such as pain, loss of function, drainage, fever, and chills is necessary. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
Other signs of infection can include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and severe fatigue, according to Torvinen. In short, cleaning a wound and keeping an eye on it afterward are both essential steps in care. [eu.rgj.com]
Skin
- Flushing
"Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound the infection would just get worse. The pain almost drove me up the wall." [eu.usatoday.com]
Neurologic
- Rabies
Seek medical attention if the cat has not been vaccinated against rabies. [21] If a cat has bitten someone, and there is no evidence that the cat has been vaccinated against rabies, the person will be treated for rabies infection. [19] Epidemiology [ [en.wikipedia.org]
Tetanus and rabies immunization history must be verified and vaccination and immune globulin must be given when indicated. In all cases of cat bites, prophylaxis with amoxycillin clavulanate is necessary. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Workup
Microbiology
- Bartonella Henselae
Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. How cat-scratch disease is spread Most people with cat-scratch disease have a history of bites, scratches or other contact with cats, especially cats less than 1 year old. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
After a cat bite, the skin usually closes rapidly over the bite and may trap microorganisms. [13] [8] The bite from a cat can infect a person with: Cat-scratch disease, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae ) [8] [14] Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial [en.wikipedia.org]
Treatment
A recent Mayo Clinic study shows that one out of three people who sought treatment for a cat bite to the hand were hospitalized. [eu.usatoday.com]
Management of infection can be divided into cleansing of the wound, antibiotic prophylaxis, and antibiotic treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] ill, the cat would benefit from an assessment and possible treatment by a veterinarian. [en.wikipedia.org]
Treatment Cat-scratch disease is a mild disease that tends to get better by itself over several months. Specific antibiotic treatment is usually not necessary. [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
Epidemiology
Seek medical attention if the cat has not been vaccinated against rabies. [21] If a cat has bitten someone, and there is no evidence that the cat has been vaccinated against rabies, the person will be treated for rabies infection. [19] Epidemiology [ [en.wikipedia.org]
Prevention
When you're finished, apply an antibiotic cream to the bite to help prevent an infection. Finally, cover the bite with a bandage to keep dirt and bacteria out. For advice from our Medical co-author, like how to prevent future cat bites, scroll down! [wikihow.com]
Vaccination of the cat can prevent rabies being transmitted by the cat through a bite. [en.wikipedia.org]
Providers generally give patients a prophylactic antibiotic to prevent infections from occurring if [stiches are required]." Additionally, about 20 percent of cat scratches become infected, whether stiches are needed or not. [eu.rgj.com]
Sellers; Public Health Image Library (PHIL), Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC-USA) [sahealth.sa.gov.au]
INTRODUCTION The primary objective of diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries affecting children in the primary dentition is the prevention of damage to the developing permanent dentition. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]