Serious Symptoms Of Cat Scratch Disease

Fatigue

Fighting off any infection can take an enormous toll on the human body. So what happens within the body during an infection? Basically, the immune system immediately springs into action and starts deploying white blood cells and antibodies to start fighting the infection. Many of the symptoms of an infection occur as a result of the body trying to fight the infection. Bacteria such as Bartonella henselae make individuals sick by disrupting cell function. The bacteria then multiply rapidly, generating a massive immune response and causing an individual to start experiencing symptoms.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

When an individual is dealing with cat scratch disease, the lymph nodes (round immune system organs, often called glands) closest to the site of the cat scratch will typically swell about a week or two after infection. For the most part, the lymph nodes that swell are in the neck or under the armpit, however, when cat scratch disease starts in the leg, the patient’s lymph nodes in their groin are often affected. The swollen lymph nodes are often warm to the touch and the skin red. Swollen lymph nodes are the hallmark symptom of cat scratch disease in children, though thankfully illness for kids is typically mild. The swelling of the lymph nodes in cat scratch disease usually subsides within two to four months, although it is possible for it to last longer than this.