Could i have cat scratch disease?

Question

I've had swollen lymph nodes in my groin area for over a week now, & in the past few days, they feel like they've gotten bigger & little more swollen. I had made an appt at an ob/gyn clinic for tomorrow (I need to get a routine exam anyway), but should I get checked at a regular Dr's office tomorrow as well? I'm getting a little worried because now I also feel discomfort around my neck, I may have a slight fever, & i seem to have other symptoms of CSD that are listed on online listings. I have indoor cats only & they have had fleas. They have also scratched me in recent months on my legs (it happened when they tred to climb in my lap when I'm wearing shorts). Also, could it be something else? Please help!

Answer 1

Fleas by themselves can be a terrible problem but, it does sound like you have all the symptoms of CSD and you will continue to get sicker unless you can control your cats. You can find out more about it by clicking on the link below:

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu5agmAlHNEgBGrpXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTFhNnQ5OXZmBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA01BUDAwOV85NQRsA1dTMQ--/SIG=12k042bev/EXP=1191897632/**http%3a//www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/cat_scratch_disease/symptoms.htm

Answer 2

Cat Scratch Disease goes away in a certain amount of time, even if untreated. Most people hardly feel anything from it but about 14% have some complications (it's not life threatening, more like the flu).

Here's an excerpt from a medical site you can trust, the CDC -------------------

Clinical Features of CSD
Throughout the life of this evolving mystery, the clinical descriptions of classical CSD have remained remarkably consistent (Dalton MJ, et al. Rochalimaea antibody; a new era in the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease, submitted for publication; (4-6). CSD is typically a benign and self-limited illness lasting 6 to 12 weeks in the absence of antibiotic therapy.

Answer 3

It's very rare to get it because the cat would have to be a carrier, and to be infected prior to this by the fleas that carry it. It's normally called Bartonella in cats and it's not very common. Wash the scratch out good with soap and water. Put some hydrogen peroxide on it to fizz out anything that might be in there, that stuff kills a lot of bacteria and is good for cleaning wounds like this. If the scratch feels hot tomorrow, it may have a slight infection. Soak it a bit and take aspirin (and I'd take a vitamin too, it wouldn't hurt to have your body supplied with what it needs). Most scratches are just scratches. We all get them.

Answer 4

I don't know much about CSD and I can't suggest what might be causing your symptoms, but your OB/GYN should be able to treat you for anything that a regular doctor can. Make sure you let your doctor know at your appointment about your symptoms and concerns. He/she may refer you to your regular physician, but if they can treat you for whatever it is that's ailing you, they usually will.

FYI: I had my lymph nodes in my neck swell up earlier this year, to the point that I had huge knots on one side of my neck and turning my head was painful. I went to the doctor, but since I had NO other symptoms, even the doc was baffled. He said sometimes they just do that, gave me an antibiotic, and a few days later I was back to normal.

Answer 5

You could just be really alergic to cats.
Those seem like the simtums that some one owuld have when they are having a life threatening alergic reaction.
Hope you get better soon though.....



p.s I think cat scratch fever is just a funny little myth....

Answer 6

Here is a link and I hope this will help with the information.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1316&articleid=3305