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"     Is there really such a thing as cat scratch fever? And if so, can a person catch it from a domesticated pet? T.W., Glendive, Montana Not only does cat scratch fever exist, nearly 40 percent of felines will, at some point, carry the bacterium (Bartonella henselae) that causes it. Though the bacterium, spread by fleas, leads to no signs of illness in cats, it can affect humans who are scratched, bitten, or licked by an infected animal.   But before you panic, the good news: People who contract the disease usually experience only a mild infection around the bite or scratch site and possibly a headache, low-grade fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue--all of which tend to go away on their own. Still, I&amp;#039;d suggest consulting a physician if you&amp;#039;re scratched or bitten by a cat and experience any of the aforementioned symptoms. The complications can sometimes be severe (high fever, confusion, seizures) and, in rare cases, even fatal, especially if the infected person has a weakened immune system.   While there is a blood test to determine if your pet is a carrier, most vets don&amp;#039;t consider it completely reliable. Instead, practice prevention: Since fleas are at the root of the problem, pest control remains one of the best ways to keep your cat from becoming infected. And if you are bitten or scratched by a feline, heed the Centers for Disease Control&amp;#039;s advice and wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/life/kids-pets/a3447/what-is-cat-scratch-fever-0910/>