Cat-scratch disease antibiotics: what should you know?

Cat-scratch disease can follow contact with a cat and may cause a small skin lesion, tender nearby lymph nodes, tiredness, or fever. Many uncomplicated cases improve with supportive care, so antibiotics are not automatically helpful. A clinician considers the pattern of illness, examination findings, immune health, pregnancy, allergies, and whether organs such as the eye, liver, spleen, or nervous system may be involved. Other causes of swollen nodes or a skin wound, including cellulitis, may need different treatment.

Do not start leftover antibiotics or share a prescription. If a clinician prescribes a medicine, take it exactly as directed and tell them about allergies, pregnancy, regular medicines, and previous antibiotic reactions. Ask what to do if you miss a dose and whether food affects the medicine. Nausea, loose stools, or mild stomach upset can occur with antibiotics. Stop and seek urgent help for facial swelling, wheezing, faintness, or a widespread blistering rash. Keep the scratch clean and avoid squeezing a swollen node.

Arrange an assessment for persistent fever, worsening pain, enlarging or very tender lymph nodes, a spreading red wound, or symptoms that are not settling. Seek urgent care for confusion, severe headache, breathing difficulty, fainting, severe abdominal pain, or new vision changes. People with a weakened immune system should seek medical advice early after a suspected exposure or new symptoms.

Ask whether your illness fits cat-scratch disease, whether antibiotics are likely to help, and what alternatives should be considered. Ask how long improvement may take, which side effects matter, and when swollen nodes or fever need review.