In most children and adolescents, swollen glands are the main symptom. Adults often have other symptoms such as low fever, tiredness, headache, and loss of appetite. Persons with weakened immune systems can become more seriously ill. It usually takes 3 to 10 days for a sore to appear at the site of a cat scratch or bite. The lymph glands nearby usually start to swell about 2 weeks after the scratch or bite.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and a history of a scratch by a cat.
A blood test can confirm the diagnosis. Anyone can get cat-scratch disease. Most cases are in children and adolescents. Persons who own or handle cats are at increased risk. Most people recover on their own within 3 weeks.