What symptoms occur after a cat bite? - briefly
After a cat bite, symptoms may include redness, swelling, pain at the site, and potential signs of infection such as fever or pus. Immediate medical attention is often necessary to prevent complications.
What symptoms occur after a cat bite? - in detail
After a cat bite, the initial symptoms often include pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the wound. The bite may appear as small puncture wounds, which can sometimes be deeper than they seem due to the sharpness of a cat’s teeth. Within hours or days, the area may become increasingly tender, warm to the touch, and may develop pus or discharge, indicating a potential infection. Cats carry bacteria in their mouths, such as Pasteurella multocida, which can lead to rapid infection if the bite is not promptly cleaned and treated. Some individuals may experience fever, chills, or fatigue as the body responds to the infection. In more severe cases, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing cellulitis, or to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis. Swollen lymph nodes near the bite site are also common as the immune system reacts. In rare instances, cat bites can transmit diseases like cat-scratch disease, which may cause additional symptoms such as prolonged fever, headache, and body aches. If the bite is near a joint or tendon, it can lead to tenosynovitis, a painful condition affecting the tendon sheath. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent complications, as cat bites have a high risk of infection due to the nature of the wound and the bacteria involved.