15 Frequent Causes of Bartonella

Bartonella is a bacteria that can infect human beings and cause a wide range of symptoms. It is a category of bacteria with several strains that fall under the same name. Each strain is slightly different and can infect different parts of the body. 

Some types can cause fever and other classic symptoms of infection. Other strains can cause infection of important parts of the body, such as the heart and eyes. Left untreated, these infections can cause serious long-term health problems that may not resolve with treatment. Because of this, it’s important to obtain a proper medical diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Bartonella is a Gram-negative type of bacteria, so the appropriate medications should be used. Erythromycin and doxycycline are the most common antibiotics for treatment, although Bartonella has shown vulnerability to some other popular drugs like penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and a few other less common antibiotics. 

Here are 8 frequent causes of infection.

1. Rough Play With Cats

The Bartonella bacteria strain is responsible for the disease known as cat scratch fever (among other diseases). When cat claws penetrate human skin, they can transmit this bacteria and cause an infection that quickly spreads throughout the body and can cause a range of symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes. 

Cats can be fun to play with, but it’s important to remember to use cat toys or to simply engage in gentle play. The direct damage that sharp claws do to your skin is only the short-term damage when infection is considered as a possibility. 

You can also minimize risk by keeping your cat’s claws trimmed or applying those soft plastic covers to their nails. Since this can be difficult to do on your own, it’s possible to take your cat to the vet to have their nails trimmed or covers applied by a professional vet.