So did my mother, she thought it wasn't serious until one of her friends insisted that she get to the doctor. I didn't know anything about it, but I had driven 800 miles to surprise her for her 80th birthday. I was shocked when I saw how sick she was, she had lost 10 pounds in 3 days, she was only about 155 pounds, and her skin was as pale grey as concrete. That same day she got a call from her doctor that her test results were in and he had sent a prescription to her pharmacy. I picked up the medication and stayed with her for a couple days until she started to feel better.
Cat's mouths are full of bacteria, and their sharp teeth will easily puncture skin.