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Cat Scratch Disease Student A Science Period 1 ELA Period 7 Introduction Cat Scratch Disease is caused by a bacterium. Bartonella henselae is the name of the bacteria that causes the disease. The disease reproduces by binary fission because it is bacterial. This disease is most common in children. Bartonella henselae Transmission Cat scratch disease is transmitted from an infected cat to a human through a bit or a scratch. This disease can not be spread from human to human. Cats get the bacteria from the bite of a flea, although the cat does not get sick. The bacteria lives in the saliva of the cat. Symptoms A blister or small bump appears a couple of days after being bitten or scratched. After a couple of weeks lymph nodes near the blister will begin swelling and become red and sore. Other symptoms may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache, rash, sore throat. In some cases liver, spleen, bone, joint and lung infections can occur. Blisters that appear. Prevention Flea that carries the bacteria. Teach young children to stay away from stray or unknown cats. Children need to play nicely and not roughly with pets to avoid being bitten or scratched. Keep your pets free of fleas to decrease the chance your pet will become infected with the bacteria. Wash your hands after playing with cats. If you do get bitten or scratched, wash the area well with soap and water. Treatment Cat Scratch disease usually goes away on it’s own without any medical treatment. Fluid is sometimes removed from swollen lymph nodes. Doctors can give antibiotics to treat the disease. Warm compresses can be placed on swollen lymph nodes to reduce soreness. Tylenol or Advil can also be given to reduce pain and fever. Interesting facts Cat Scratch Disease is found all over the world. It is more likely to occur in the fall and winter. In the United States, around 22,000 cases are diagnosed each year. Sources 1. “Cat Scratch Disease”. Kids Health. [Online] Available http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/cat_ scratch.html, January 20,2009.