Cat scratch fever symptoms

Cat scratch fever symptoms can include impairment of vision. There is a very useful document on the PubMed Central website, which describes the symptoms of cat scratch fever and an interesting case of a person whose sight was affected.

The general symptoms are flu like to varying degrees and the area around the scratch (or bite, both can be equally responsible) becomes swollen (usually the hand or arm) and the lymph nodes swell and become tender. This can last for about 2 months, a long time.

There are more extensive and specific symptoms that may occur and these are listed here. The first to mention is the case of a 25 year man who acquired a kitten and no doubt played and enjoyed that. He got scratched numerous times apparently and began to suffer from flu-like symptoms from which he recovered in about 2 weeks.

However tests on his eyes indicated that he had suffered visual loss in his right eye due to a swelling of the optic nerve and a "macular star" (presumed star shaped spot). This was cured by an antibiotic.

This is obviously quite serious and actually makes me more cautious about playing with my cat. Anytime that I have been scratched bitten it has been in play and I have overdone it and got my cat too excited.

Other diseases than can occur - these are rare cat scratch fever symptoms as far as I am aware:

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Cat scratch fever symptoms - Ocular - relating to the eye

Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome - a small sore develops on the membrane lining the eyelid. There can also be conjunctivitis and swollen lymph nodes at a point in front of the ear. This form of cat scratch fever symptoms could be caused by transmitting cats saliva from the fur to the eye after rubbing one's eye with a hand.

Disciform keratitis - an infiltration of an abnormal substance into the cornea

Anterior uveitis - an inflammation that involves the iris and ciliary body

Vitritis - an inflammation of the jelly in the posterior portion of the eye

Pars planitis - inflammation of the peripheral retina

Focal retinal vasculitis - sight can be damaged by an inflammatory eye disease affecting the retinal vasculature

Neuroretinitis - an inflammation that affects the optic nerve head and posterior pole of the retina

Retinal vascular occlusions - blockage of blood vessels in the retina affecting vision

Focal choroiditis - An inflammation of the layer of the eye behind the retina

Serous retinal detachment - retina becomes detached

Peripapillary angiomatous lesions

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Cat scratch fever symptoms - Non-ocular - not relating to the eye

Encephalopathy - degenerative disease of the brain

Polyneuritis - widespread inflammation of the nerves

Arthritis - sore inflammed joints

Endocarditis - inflammation of the heart lining

Osteomyelitis - an acute or chronic infection of the bone and bone marrow

Hepatosplenic infections - related to liver disease

Erythema nodosum - inflammation of fat cells under skin

Cat scratch fever symptoms to cat health problems
Go to Cat Scratch Fever for a full description of this illness

Cat scratch fever symptoms - Sources: too various to list but lots. Some of these diseases are rare/unusual. The list comes from PubMed Central.

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