Can you get infections from cat scratches

Rabies : Cats should have regular vaccinations to prevent rabies infection. Ringworm : Kittens are especially likely to carry this fungal infection. It causes bald patches on the skin. Tapeworm : Most common in children, this infection occurs when a person ingests a flea from a cat that has tapeworm larvae.

Toxocara infection : This condition does not always cause symptoms, but it can give rise to severe complications, such as blindness. Toxoplasmosis : It is crucial to avoid this during pregnancy. Complications include growth and eye problems in the unborn child and pregnancy loss. Gut bacteria receive a great deal of attention, but scientists are beginning to invest more time in studying gut viruses.

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A person can pass it on through close contact or shared objects. It can live on other objects for 24 hours.

Learn more. A study shows that a substance in the drink kefir can help combat disease-causing, antibiotic resistant bacteria by disrupting their communication. Cat scratch fever: What you should know. Causes Symptoms Complications Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Checking for signs in your cat Cat scratch fever can happen when a person receives a bite, scratch, or lick from a cat that is infected with the bacteria Bartonella henselae.

Share on Pinterest A small bump or blister may appear 3—14 days after a scratch. Share on Pinterest Regular vacuuming can keep the risk of fleas down. Checking for signs in a cat. Cat scratches and bites can cause cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection carried in cat saliva.

Research suggests a cat may get these bacteria from fleas. The bacteria are passed from an infected cat to a human after the cat licks an open wound or bites or scratches human skin hard enough to break the surface of the skin. Kittens younger than one year of age are more likely to scratch, increasing the likelihood of infection. Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterium carried in the cat saliva.

The symptoms of cat scratch disease may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Diagnosis is based on a complete history, including a history of being scratched by a cat or kitten, a physical exam, and sometimes blood tests. Avoid being scratched or bitten by cats or kittens.

If scratched or bitten, wash the area right away with soap and water. Do not allow cats to lick wounds you may have. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat scratch disease or infection. CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae.

Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to have B. Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while they play and learn how to attack prey. Cats can get infected with B. By scratching and biting at the fleas, cats pick up the infected flea dirt under their nails and between their teeth. Cats can also become infected by fighting with other cats that are infected. The germ spreads to people when infected cats bite or scratch a person hard enough to break their skin.

The germ can also spread when infected cats lick at wounds or scabs that you may have. Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs. Their mouthing and pawing can often be a mix of both adorable and annoying. But in rare instances, they can also be dangerous to your health.

Even indoor cats that are well cared for can bring bacteria and viruses into your home. A bite or a scratch may mean that those germs are passed on to you, causing illness.

In this article, you'll learn about a few infections that cats may cause. You'll also find advice on how to avoid getting sick from a cat. Cat-scratch disease a. A feline passes it on to you by scratching you, biting, licking a wound you might have, or, in rare cases, sharing fleas that infect you directly. Cat-scratch disease is not common. About 22, cases are reported in the United States each year.

Considering how often cats scratch, that's a very low rate, so it's not something you need to worry too much about. When the disease is passed to humans, it's usually through feral cats or infected kittens. These kittens usually show no signs of illness despite being infected by the bacteria Bartonella henselae.

Humans infected by cats may develop a red bump nearby the scratch. Lymph nodes may become tender or swollen as well. These symptoms can appear seven to 12 days after the exposure or as much as two months later. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Bartonella henselae can cause a skin infection known as bacillary angiomatosis.

Symptoms usually go away on their own in about a month. In some cases, you'll need to be treated with antibiotics. Occasionally, this condition becomes more serious. People who are immunocompromised , especially those with HIV , are more likely to develop complications. Severe symptoms may include skin lesions and inflammation of multiple organs, including:. Bacillary angiomatosis can be fatal to those with HIV. Cat bites are often more worrisome than dog bites.

While dogs may damage your skin more, cats make deeper puncture wounds. That means that cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites. Other bacteria can be passed to you if your cat bites you. Common types include:. Serious cat bites are typically treated with antibiotics.

Intravenous antibiotics are often given at the first sign that the bite looks infected.