Signs and Symptoms of Cat-Scratch Disease
After a cat bite or scratch, you may notice pimples forming around the broken skin during the healing process. Common signs of cat-scratch disease include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, a blister or bump, body aches, a low-grade fever, or headaches. Less common symptoms include a sore throat, weight loss, or loss of appetite. In rare cases, the condition may worsen and lead to more serious symptoms of associated diseases. These include a persistent fever, rash, joint pain, abdominal pain, chills, or backaches. [5]
Conditions with Similar Symptoms to Cat-Scratch Disease
Some conditions may have similar symptoms to cat-scratch disease. These include:
– Brucellosis: This is an infection spread to humans from livestock. It is characterized by swollen lymph nodes and flu-like symptoms
– Lymphadenitis: This is an inflammatory condition that leads to swollen lymph nodes
– Lyme disease: This is a tick-borne infection that causes a bull-s eye rash and flu-like symptoms
– Lymphogranuloma venereum: This is a sexually transmitted infection that leads to a skin lesion, which would become a blister or bump later [6]
