Transcript Malaria

Cat Scratch Disease
Student A
Science Period 1
ELA Period 7
Introduction
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Cat Scratch Disease is
caused by a bacterium.
Bartonella henselae is
the name of the bacteria
that causes the disease.
The disease reproduces
by binary fission
because it is bacterial.
This disease is most
common in children.
Bartonella henselae
Transmission
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Cat scratch disease is transmitted from
an infected cat to a human through a bit
or a scratch.
This disease can not be spread from
human to human.
Cats get the bacteria from the bite of a
flea, although the cat does not get sick.
The bacteria lives in the saliva of the
cat.
Symptoms
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A blister or small bump appears a
couple of days after being bitten
or scratched.
After a couple of weeks lymph
nodes near the blister will begin
swelling and become red and
sore.
Other symptoms may include
fever, tiredness, loss of appetite,
headache, rash, sore throat.
In some cases liver, spleen, bone,
joint and lung infections can
occur.
Blisters that appear.
Prevention
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Flea that carries
the bacteria.
Teach young children to stay away from
stray or unknown cats.
Children need to play nicely and not
roughly with pets to avoid being bitten or
scratched.
Keep your pets free of fleas to decrease
the chance your pet will become infected
with the bacteria.
Wash your hands after playing with cats.
If you do get bitten or scratched, wash
the area well with soap and water.
Treatment
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Cat Scratch disease usually goes
away on it’s own without any
medical treatment.
Fluid is sometimes removed from
swollen lymph nodes.
Doctors can give antibiotics to treat
the disease.
Warm compresses can be placed on
swollen lymph nodes to reduce
soreness. Tylenol or Advil can also
be given to reduce pain and fever.
Interesting facts
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Cat Scratch Disease is found all
over the world.
It is more likely to occur in the fall
and winter.
In the United States, around
22,000 cases are diagnosed each
year.
Sources
1.
“Cat Scratch Disease”. Kids Health. [Online] Available
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/cat_
scratch.html, January 20,2009.