{"id":9135,"date":"2019-08-16T16:21:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T16:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9135"},"modified":"2021-06-21T15:33:58","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T15:33:58","slug":"15-frequent-causes-of-bartonella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-frequent-causes-of-bartonella\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Frequent Causes of Bartonella"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s important to obtain a proper medical diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 frequent causes of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Rough Play With Cats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bartonella bacteria<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cats can be fun to play with, but it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also minimize risk by keeping your cat\u2019s claws trimmed or applying those soft plastic covers to their nails. Since this can be difficult to do on your own, it\u2019s possible to take your cat to the vet to have their nails trimmed or covers applied by a professional vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Exposure to Fleas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scratches from claws aren\u2019t the only way that cats increase your risk of contracting an infection. Fleas are a big risk factor in disease transmission, and the fleas can come from any animal, not just cats. Dogs or other animals like rabbits can also carry these disease-causing fleas and lead to an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleas <\/a>prefer small pets much more than humans. These animals have different body temperatures and respiration rates from humans, plus the texture of their fur provides an ideal place for fleas to feed and breed. The fur also makes it harder for the fleas to be found and removed, allowing them to feed longer and giving them a safe place to lay eggs that will later hatch into more fleas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this, being around animals that may have fleas is a risk factor for Bartonella infection. Flea medicines can help reduce this risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Body Lice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the same way that fleas can cause infections, so can similar creatures such as human body lice<\/a>. These creatures can be difficult to get rid of, not only because they attach to the body, but because they can easily infect items like towels and clothing that make it very difficult to completely get rid of. Even if you clean yourself entirely of lice or kill them off, all it takes is one towel to restart the infestation from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These lice can carry the Bartonella bacteria and cause an infection in the same way that other sources of the bacteria can infect you. It\u2019s important to avoid sharing towels or other cloth products with other people. This practice puts you at risk for contamination, and if you ever have body lice, you can help avoid spreading it to others by only using your own products without sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Insects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bugs in the wild can cause infection with this bacteria even if those bugs don\u2019t come from animals. You could be exposed to a wide range of insects that are capable of biting, many of which are capable of causing infection. This risk is higher in regions of the world that have a high rate of infection and around certain bugs known to carry germs<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going out into nature without wearing brand name insect repellant with ingredients like DEET that have been proven to repel insects can put you at risk. It\u2019s also important to wear long clothing that covers your arms and legs. You can still apply the repellant spray to your clothing to keep insects off of you in general. Of course, it\u2019s even more important to apply that spray to any exposed areas of skin. If infestation is a particularly high-risk factor, you can tuck your pants into your socks to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Exposure to Rats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rodents <\/a>can carry a specific strain that is unique to them, known as the Elizabethan strain of Bartonella. Rats are the biggest carriers. If you have been exposed to rats, then you are at risk of infection, especially if you had any exposed wounds or any contamination from animals was allowed to get close to your mucous membranes, such as eyes, nose, and mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct contact with rats can also cause infection, especially if they scratch you with their claws or bite you with their teeth. Rats in the wild can carry infection, as can pet rats that are kept in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This specific strain can cause an infection that inflames the inner lining of the heart. This is called endocarditis, and as you can probably imagine, it is a very dangerous form of infection that requires strong medication under the treatment of a medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Exposure to Squirrels <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Squirrels are pretty cute to watch from a distance, but it\u2019s never a good idea to get too close to one. Squirrels can carry another strain of Bartonella called washoensis that induces a specific type of infection in the heart called myocarditis<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myocarditis can produce a wide range of cardiac symptoms like an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and intolerance for exercise. This is a dangerous infection that should be treated immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can help avoid infection by avoiding squirrels, trying not to get too close to them, and taking care when cleaning up any remains from an area where squirrels might have been present. If you must clean up after squirrels, make sure to wear gloves, wear a breathing mask that removes airborne particles and taking special care to wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with hot water and antibacterial soap. Hand sanitizer can also help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Mice Exposure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rats were mentioned earlier as a possible cause of Bartonella infection, so mentioning mice might seem redundant. However, mice are capable of infecting you with a completely different strain of the Bartonella bacteria known as graham bacteria<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This bacteria can affect the heart and cause a wide range of cardiac symptoms, but it also has the ability to affect the eyes with a condition called neuroretinitis. It can cause a loss of vision, especially in the center field of vision. This condition can be temporary depending on the severity and longevity of the infection, but in some cases, permanent damage can occur. Only treatment can tell if your vision will fully return or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding exposure to mice reduces your chances of infection, and it\u2019s especially important to avoid exposing any open or fresh wounds to mice, whether they are wild or kept in captivity as pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Biting Sand Flies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sandfly is a specific insect that is responsible for many cases of Bartonella infection<\/a>, but it is so region-specific that you should be able to quickly identify whether it is a possible cause of your infection. These flies are present in the Andes Mountains in areas above 3,000 feet in elevation. Cases rarely occur above 10,000 feet, so there is a pretty low risk of infection outside of this range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peru is one of the most common regions, but it can happen in any area of the Andes that fall within that elevation zone. If you have been traveling there and begin to feel ill, it\u2019s important to get checked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Peru, the infection can also occur in nearby countries such as Ecuador and Columbia, but it is still limited to the region of those countries that include the Andes Mountains. 
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