Overview
A small bump or blister appears at the scratch, then nearby lymph nodes swell 1 to 3 weeks later.
Symptoms
Common signs:
- Swollen glands after a cat scratch
- Recent cat scratch or bite
Less common
- Fever
- Tiredness
Look up a symptom: Fever · Recent cat scratch or bite · Swollen glands
When to get medical care
Call 911This isn't an emergency by itself. Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting.
Get care todayHigh fever or very sick.
See a doctor soonSwollen glands.
Causes
Bartonella.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It usually doesn't spread from person to person.
- People get it from: cat scratches, bites, fleas, or body lice.
Who is more likely to get it
- Kids with kittens
Diagnosis
Exam and blood test.
Treatment
Rest.
Self-care
- Warm compresses on nodes
- Rest
- Use pain relievers
Medicines
Medicines that may help:
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Some cases |
OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.
Prevention
To prevent:
- Wash scratches
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, if it's hard to treat.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- People with weak immune systems: Can be more serious.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Most recover.
Getting ready for your visit
Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.
What to bring
- A list of your medicines and supplements
- Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
Questions to ask
- Do I need antibiotics?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Cat scratch disease
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.