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Chronic bartonella henslae
So 1 year back i got claw scratched by a cat later i developed flu like symptoms lost 7 kgs of weight and developed with joint pain in that specific finger and radiculopathy in the same arm went for check ups and came positive for bartonella henslae but since one year i am unable to find a doctor who knows how to heal this infection my symptoms are persistant and now i am anxious that what if i have further complications right now its joint pain radiculopathy fatigue what to do every doctor says its self healing but on my research on youtube i found on a american channel galaxy diagnostics that their are mesication for chronic cases did every possible test and the only test which came positive was bartonella one and then also doctors are not taking it seriously have been to AIMS too they too are not taking my issues seriously
Answers (30)
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Cat-scratch disease from Bartonella henselae usually settles on its own or with a short antibiotic course; persistent lymph node swelling, joint pain, weight loss and fatigue a year later need a fresh, in-person work-up rather than being assumed to be "chronic Bartonella". A positive antibody test can simply reflect past exposure, and the concept of long-term chronic bartonellosis promoted on some websites is not supported by mainstream evidence. Other treatable causes of your symptoms - tuberculosis, thyroid disease, anaemia, vitamin D/B12 deficiency, autoimmune arthritis and depression-related fatigue - must be ruled out.Most cat-scratch disease resolves on its own, and a positive Bartonella antibody test a year later often reflects past infection rather than ongoing active disease, which is why several doctors have reassured you. However, persistent joint pain, radiating nerve pain, fatigue and significant weight loss deserve a proper re-evaluation for other causes such as inflammatory arthritis, a nerve root problem in the neck, or thyroid and vitamin deficiencies, rather than repeated antibiotic courses based on internet sources.
Next Steps
Please see an infectious disease physician or a general physician in person with all your previous reports. Reasonable tests are a CBC with ESR/CRP, a fine-needle aspiration or biopsy of the persistent lymph node with TB testing, chest X-ray, thyroid profile, vitamin D and B12, and rheumatology screening. Please avoid buying long antibiotic courses from internet advice - they carry real harm. Do also seek support for the anxiety, which is worsening how you feel. You may consult me on Practo or at Synergy Multispeciality Hospital, Miraj.
Health Tips
Please avoid long self-directed antibiotic courses ordered from private laboratories; they carry real side effects. Seek prompt review if you develop fever, night sweats, further weight loss, a rapidly enlarging or painful lymph node, or eye or neurological symptoms.
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You have anxiety about the cat scratch disease ,which is a self limiting illness and only severe case need antibiotics.
It improves in few months .
Mild headache,fever , infection at site of scratche and regional lymph nodes enlargement are common presentation
Fatigue and wt.loss if persistent routine test must have been done by all your practitioner who say you are ok
Next Steps
can you specify what type of pain you have and in which arm .. which you describe as radiculopathy
what happen to pain if you cough or sneeze
which all joint are paining,is there associated swelling or decreased range of movement
Any neck pain or stiffness
what is your screen time and duration you keep mobile in your hand
Health Tips
Mind your posture while working and holding mobile
avoid using for long hours
do some neck rotation excercise and Pranayama
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You should consult with a Neurologist in your area. Don't look for a Specialist in Bartonella.
At a later stage in life if you develop Cataract then you will start looking for a Specialist who is expert in managing the problems of RIGHT EYE or LEFT EYE (depending on the side of your affected eye)
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If symptoms persist despite treatment, reassess the diagnosis rather than automatically extending antibiotics. Consider confirmation with appropriate serology/PCR and evaluation for endocarditis, retinitis/CNS disease, osteomyelitis, or immunosuppression, depending on symptoms.
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Chronic Bartonella infections typically require prolonged combination antibiotic therapy, such as doxycycline paired with rifampin or gentamicin, lasting from six weeks to several months.
In severe cases steroids are given for symptomatic relief.
Bartonella infection can go away, but how it behaves depends heavily on your overall health, the specific species of bacteria, and whether you receive treatment. Work on your lifestyle
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Based on your history, the cat scratch and positive Bartonella henselae test do make cat-scratch disease a possibility. However, a positive Bartonella antibody test alone does not necessarily mean that you still have an active infection one year later. Serology can remain positive and can also have cross-reactivity with other infections.
Typical cat-scratch disease usually causes a local skin lesion followed by nearby lymph-node enlargement, fever and malaise, and most uncomplicated cases gradually resolve over weeks to months. Neurological or other systemic complications are uncommon.
Since you continue to have weight loss, fatigue, joint pain and particularly radiculopathy for a year, I would not simply assume that all of these symptoms are due to persistent Bartonella. You need a proper reassessment to look for both ongoing Bartonella-related disease and other possible causes of these symptoms.
Please take the actual Bartonella report with the IgM/IgG values and reference ranges, along with all previous investigations and treatment records, to an Infectious Diseases physician/Internal Medicine specialist. Depending on your examination and history, they may decide whether repeat serology, PCR from an appropriate specimen, imaging, neurological evaluation or other investigations are warranted. PCR is a diagnostic option, although its sensitivity varies depending on the specimen and clinical situation.
Next Steps
The good news is that serious complications of B. henselae infection are uncommon, so try not to assume that you necessarily have a dangerous chronic infection. But your persistent symptoms deserve a systematic evaluation rather than simply being dismissed as “self-healing.”
Health Tips
There are established antibiotic treatments for confirmed cat-scratch disease, but prolonged or combination antibiotic treatment should not be started solely on the basis of a positive antibody test, particularly after a year of symptoms. Treatment decisions depend on whether there is evidence of active or complicated infection.
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Get the b.henslae igG and PCR, Cbp,crp,esr,kft,lft,urine analysis done and update me with the reports. Get in touch with me through practo consultation. We'll move to further management after examining the test reports thoroughly. Even though its a self limiting condition we should not take the risk.
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It's a minor disorder which resolves easily but specific antibiotic plans should be started since I think your joint pain is migrating which is concerning in itself. For further evaluation book an appointment or u can also consult me on WA on seven four nine nine one eight six two zero five
Next Steps
don't worry you are stressing so much and that's the main cause it's disturbing u.
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current persistent symptoms cannot be attributed to active Bartonella infection based on a positive serology alone. Cat-scratch disease is usually self-limited, although uncommon neurologic, musculoskeletal, ocular, hepatosplenic and cardiac complications can occur.
Next Steps
Review the actual Bartonella report, including IgM, IgG titre and reference range, rather than simply +ve.
CBC, ESR or CRP, LFT, RFT and urinalysis; consider HIV test.
If radiculopathy persists or there is objective weakness, sensory loss or reflex abnormality → MRI of the relevant spine ± neurology evaluation.
Health Tips
A positive serology does not automatically establish persistent active infection.
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Your history of a cat scratch followed by flu-like illness makes Bartonella henselae (cat-scratch disease) a possible diagnosis. However, persistent symptoms for 1 year such as weight loss, fatigue, joint pain and radicular symptoms need a fresh evaluation. A positive Bartonella antibody test alone does not establish that you currently have an active infection.
Cat-scratch disease usually causes fever and lymph-node enlargement near the site of the scratch. Less commonly, it can cause neurological, ocular, bone or other systemic complications.
Next Steps
Please obtain your previous Bartonella report, including IgM/IgG values and titers and the type of test performed.
* Consult an Infectious Diseases physician, preferably along with Neurology for the radicular symptoms.
* Your 7-kg weight loss deserves evaluation rather than being attributed automatically to Bartonella.
* Depending on examination, investigations may include CBC, ESR/CRP, liver/renal function, glucose/HbA1c, HIV testing and other infectious/autoimmune investigations as clinically indicated.
* If active Bartonella infection is genuinely suspected, the diagnosis should be correlated with the clinical picture; PCR/molecular testing or tissue/aspirate testing can sometimes help in selected cases.
Health Tips
Important: Please don’t start prolonged antibiotics on your own based only on a positive Bartonella antibody report. Treatment depends on the clinical manifestation; uncomplicated cat-scratch disease is often self-limited, while confirmed complicated disease requires specialist-directed therapy.
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In my opinion, the history is suggestive of a possible previous Bartonella henselae infection following a cat scratch; however, a positive Bartonella serology alone does not establish persistent or active infection, particularly one year later.
Next Steps
If symptoms are persistent or progressive, I would recommend evaluation by an Infectious Disease specialist and a Neurologist, with investigations guided by examination and clinical findings.
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This requires proper assessment, how extensive is the disease , any other symptoms present, what treatment you have already received and some other test like serology, PCR .
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Kindly consult on Practo to full detailed assessment, examination and treatment
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It is a case of car scratch disease
Do you have the same symptoms now also ( even after one year of incidence)
When did it came positive for bartonella?
If there are symptoms a long course of antibiotic will be required
Kindly consult with me on practo app I will guide you through
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It is a self limiting condition.dont take medicine like antibiotics for prolong duration without consulting doctors.
Next Steps
if you have already done serology test then you can show me.
Health Tips
don't worry.trust on medical science.you are not only one.others in past have been fully treated.its curable.
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