An enlarged lymph node in the armpit region of a person with cat-scratch disease, and wounds from a cat scratch on the hand. 
 
 Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite. The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. The infection can feel warm or painful. A person with CSD may also have a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion. Later, the person’s lymph nodes closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful. 
 
 Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water. Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat-scratch disease or infection. 
 
 CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, although most cats with this infection show NO signs of illness. Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to have B. henselae infection and to spread the germ to people. Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while they play and learn how to attack prey. 
 
 How cats and people become infected 
 
 Kitten playing with a person's fingers. 
 
 Cats can get infected with B. henselae from flea bites and flea dirt (droppings) getting into their wounds. By scratching and biting at the fleas, cats pick up the infected flea dirt under their nails and between their teeth. Cats can also become infected by fighting with other cats that are infected. The germ spreads to people when infected cats bite or scratch a person hard enough to break their skin. The germ can also spread when infected cats lick at wounds or scabs that you may have. 
 
 Serious but rare complications 
 
 People 
 
 Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs. These rare complications, which may require intensive treatment, are more likely to occur in children younger than 5 years and people with weakened immune systems. 
 
 Cats 
 
 Most cats with B. henselae infection show NO signs of illness, but on rare occasions this disease can cause inflammation of the heart—making cats very sick with labored breathing. B. henselae infection may also develop in the mouth, urinary system, or eyes. Your veterinarian may find that some of your cat’s other organs may be inflamed. 

 As a pet owner, there are certain health dangers you and your family face. WTOL told you about some of the risks in May. One woman says she wishes she had known these dangers before she went blind.“I woke up one day and I couldn't see out of my left eye,” said Janese Walters. “I looked in the mirror and I thought I had pink eye or something.”Without any warning signs, the vision in Walters' left eye went dark.For more than a month, doctors were puzzled. They couldn't figure out what caused the sudden blindness, until Janese told them about her pet."They discovered I had something called cat scratch," she said.As the name suggests, doctors say cat scratch disease is caused by a bacteria passed along by cats and kittens, through their saliva or even fur."Anything that is exposed to the cat's mouth, including if you have a little scratch that the cat licks – that's how you can get it," said Dr. Kris Brickman.Dr. Brickman says only about 40 percent of cats carry the bacteria, which isn't harmful to them, but can be to humans."It can affect the eyes, because what it does is increases blood vessels that creates problems - called antinomies,” Brickman said. “It can also cause some liver problems and can get into the spinal fluids and create meningitis."Those with weak immune systems are at a higher risk, but Dr. Brickman says there is a simple solution."Basically, go play with your cats, but wash your hands afterwards,” Brickman said. “Don't let them lick any open wounds, and try not to get bit by any cat.""It's a big handicap,” Walters said of her eyesight. “There are a lot of things you have to do differently."She says she had no knowledge of cat scratch disease before doctors diagnosed her with it."I'm just lucky it didn't transfer to my other eye," she said.She now wants her experience to be a warning to others – before it's too late.Walters says her experience has not stopped her from loving and owning cats and dogs, but she has become more aware. 

 WPXI - Pittsburgh 
 
 An Ohio woman says she lost sight in one eye after being licked by her cat. 
 
 “I woke up one day and I couldn't see out of my left eye,” Janese Walters said. “I looked in the mirror and I thought I had pink eye or something.” (Source: ToledoNewsNow.com) 
 
 It took more than a month for doctors to figure out she had cat scratch disease, which is caused by a bacteria passed from cats to humans through the animal’s saliva or fur. 
 
 Apparently, Walters caught the disease when her cat licked her, and she said she feels lucky it did not spread to the other eye. 
 
 According to the Cat Scratch Disease Fact Sheet, symptoms usually appear within 3 to 14 days after being bitten or scratched by an affected cat and people with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable. 
 
 More trending stories 
 
 Eye infection leading to blindness is considered rare. Most people don’t require treatment but some may need antibiotics to speed recovery. 
 
 The Fact Sheet says the disease is believed to be passed between cats via infected fleas, and the flea excrement on the cat is what passes it to humans. 
 
 “There is no human-to-human transmission of CSD,” according to the Fact Sheet. 
 
 If you are a pet owner, the Fact Sheet says you can avoid CSD by taking precautions: 
 
 Maintain excellent flea and tick control. 
 
 Avoid rough play with cats. 
 
 If you have an open wound do not allow a cat to lick it. 
 
 Thoroughly wash the site of a bite or scratch with soap and water. 
 
 Adopt or buy cats that are in good health and without fleas. 
 
 WPXI.com contributed to this report.
– An Ohio woman who suddenly lost vision in one of her eyes has learned that her own cat is to blame, reports WTOL. Doctors at the University of Toledo diagnosed cat scratch disease as the culprit. "Anything that is exposed to the cat's mouth, including if you have a little scratch that the cat licks—that's how you can get it," says Dr. Kris Brickman. A cat also can pass it along through its fur, or if it bites or scratches hard enough to break the skin. It's extremely rare for the bacterial infection to cause blindness, though people with weak immune systems are more prone to serious complications, explains a CDC fact sheet. More typically, those affected come down with a headache or fever. “I woke up one day and I couldn't see out of my left eye,” Janese Walters tells the Toledo TV station. “I looked in the mirror and I thought I had pink eye or something.” Brickman says the eyes are vulnerable because of the way the infection affects blood vessels. The best safeguard is to wash thoroughly after playing with your cat—especially if it's a kitten—and to immediately clean any bites or scratches. A good flea treatment also helps, because that's how cats become infected in the first place, notes WPXI. Despite the ordeal, Walters is keeping her cats. (A happier cat story: Some abandoned kittens found an unlikely new "mom.")