Do you need antibiotics for cat scratch disease?

Do you need antibiotics for cat scratch disease?

Not always. Mild cases may resolve with supportive care such as rest, hydration, and fever/pain control. Antibiotics may be considered for higher fever, significant systemic symptoms, rapidly enlarging or painful lymph nodes, signs of suppuration, or immunocompromised status. The choice and duration of antibiotics should be clinician-guided and tailored to severity. The goal is to avoid unnecessary antibiotics while appropriately managing complication risk.