The bacterium bartonella henselae causes the illness cat scratch fever, also known as cat scratch disease. Transmission of the bacteria occurs via scratches or a bite from an infected kitten or cat. Lymph node swelling in the area near the wound...
If your child does not get the amount of sleep that his body requires, he will likely feel lethargic throughout the day. A child's immune system is weakened and he may exhibit behavioral changes when he feels lethargic. When you know that your...
Rashes are the body's normal response to a variety of infections, irritants or possibly animals, foods and certain medications. The skin lesions that develop vary in appearance, size and location, depending on the cause. During a physical exam by...
Overview Domestic pets cause most animal bites. Dogs are more likely to bite than cats. However, cat bites are more likely to cause infection. Bites from wild animals carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is common in raccoons, skunks, bats and...
The term lymphadenitis describes a swelling or inflammation of the lymph nodes which most commonly occurs in children. When it appears in the neck, it can cause pain, neck stiffness and redness of the skin over the lymph nodes. Lymphadenitis also...
Cat scratch fever is also referred to as "cat scratch disease." It is caused by the bartonella bacteria. The disease lives up to its name as it is contracted from the saliva, bite or scratch of a feline. The cat must first be infected with...
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can multiply quickly in your body and cause serious health consequences if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. One of the most common indications that an infection is caused by bacteria is...
Diseases carried by animals that people can catch are called zoonotic diseases. Some of these types of infections can be passed from pet cats to the people who own them. Fortunately, avoiding cat-borne disease is fairly easy when simple...
An enlarged spleen, known as a splenomegaly, can result from a variety of conditions including liver disease, cancers and infections, according to MayoClinic.com. A healthy spleen filters blood of old blood cells, produces white blood cells that...
Swollen glands in the neck are quite a common problem in children. The lymph nodes help the body fight infections. They exist throughout the body, including in the neck, as part of the lymphatic system. Several conditions may cause lymph nodes in...
Rare is the adult who can't conjure up a childhood memory of approaching a friendly, purring kitten only to have a parent or adult caretaker say sternly, "Don't touch that cat---it could have a disease." Handling a cat is unlikely to result in...
HIV is a virus that damages the body's immune system, making it more susceptible to various infections and cancers. The immune system contains special cells--CD4 cells--that help protect the body from infection. In an HIV-negative person, a normal...
The integumentary system is composed of the skin and such component parts as the underlying fat and nerves. Sometimes, certain infections or conditions can lead to skin problems. The skin may turn red, form blisters and swell. But there are ways...
Seizure episodes are the result of abnormal brain electrical activity. Seizure types include generalized or grand mal, which affects the entire body; partial or focal seizures, which may or may not affect memory; petit mal, which appear as a blank...
Your lymph nodes keep you healthy by fighting off sickness, bacteria and viruses that invade your body. You may notice pain in your lymph nodes if they become swollen. This usually occurs around your neck, chin, groin and armpits. This swelling...
You have lymph nodes throughout your body, and they help your body identify and attack germs and other substances that can lead to infection, illness or disease. When you have swollen lymph nodes, one or more of these nodes becomes inflamed and...