no! it does not! sometimes the infection can become systemic immediately if the scratch is deep enough. and if you washed it properly you may have disinfected the skin/capillary area. you should keep tabs on your temperature just in case. a systemic reaction can sometimes cause your temperature to go way up. if it goes above 104 call a doctor!
does cat scratch disease always cause symtoms at the bite/scratch site? . my new cat bit me on the hand. there is no reaction at the bite site. however i got swollen glands in my throat and it is hard to swallow. probably not related but it made me curious as to whether cat scratch disease always causes symptoms at the bite or scratch site.