Bartonella is a pathogenic bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, lice, and possibly spiders to humans and other animals (like your pets!). When pets contract it from fleas and ticks, they can transmit it to their owners through scratches or bites, making it even more important to ensure you use natural preventative methods on your pets.
Cats are the main carrier of Bartonella, thus coining the commonly known condition "cat scratch fever." Over 12,000 people per year are diagnosed with cat scratch fever. Bartonella is more common in kittens under 1 year old, and more likely to affect children under 15 year of age, according to the CDC. It is the second most common co-infection associated with Lyme Disease, as one study showed 28% of 1,500 chronic Lyme patients with co-infections had Bartonella.
Symptoms of Bartonella:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Poor appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash
The most noticeable symptom is what appears to be stretch marks, but is actually a striated, streaky rash caused by Bartonellosis. This rash usually occurs on the lower back and/or kidney area.
Some long term symptoms include:
- Neurological issues
- Skin lesions (bacillary angiomatosis)
- Inflammatory conditions like endocarditis (heart inflammation)
- Neuroretinitis (eyes)
- Peliosis hepatis (liver)
- Encephalopathy (brain)
- Chronic disease like "fibromyalgia"
- Thyroid autoimmunity
- Night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety and/or depression
Bartonella goes through an intravascular (within the blood vessels) phase where it is able to hide in red blood cells and the cells that line blood vessels, causing inflammation, and thus, high blood pressure. Autoimmune conditions and nervous system issues are often caused by Bartonella. This autoimmunity is caused by the body trying to rid the Bartonella out of its own RBCs and endothelial cells, thus "attacking itself."
Testing For Bartonella
Bartonella has also been recognized as a stealth pathogen along with Lyme Disease and Babesia, thus leaving testing generally unreliable. Igenex and Vibrant Wellness are my two most used sources for clinical Bartonella testing.
Once a diagnosis is obtained, conventional treatment consists of antibiotics, like doxycycline. Alternatively, a more holistic approach means strengthening the immune system by reducing the toxic load of heavy metals, yeast, chemicals, and EMF exposure. Adaptogenic mushrooms are also helpful for strengthening the immune system, while the herbal tincture IS-Bart, which includes artemesia, cilantro, walnut hull, oregano, milk thistle, and boneset can help to eradicate the Bartonella infection, fight inflammation, and bust the biofilms the bacteria are hiding in!