TOXOPLASMOSIS

 Basic information

description

Toxoplasmosis is an infection in humans and animals caused by a tiny parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. It can live up to a year in water or moist soil. The parasite can infect most types of animals, but cats are the most often infected. Humans get the infection in different ways.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• No symptoms usually (80% to 90% of patients). If they do occur, they can begin 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.
• Fever, sore throat, muscle aches, or fatigue.
• Swollen lymph glands (usually in the head and neck).
• Rash (sometimes).
• Inflammation (redness and soreness) of the retina (retinitis).

causes

• People can get a toxoplasmosis infection by eating foods or drinking water that contain the germs. Infection can occur if you touch something, such as infected cat litter, with your hands then accidentally touch your mouth or eyes.
• Pregnant women who get the infection can transmit it to their offspring.
• Rarely, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, or lab accident.

risk increases with

• Eating raw or partially-cooked meat (e.g., pork, lamb, beef, or venison). Eating raw fruits or vegetables grown in infected soil. Handling raw meats, and then touching the mouth.
• Infected cats (who usually have no symptoms). They pass germs in their stools (feces) into litter boxes, the soil in gardens, or in a child's sand box. The germs get on a person's hands when they change litter or garden. The hands then accidentally touch the mouth or eyes. Children who eat the sand or soil can become infected.
• Weak immune system due to illness or drugs.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Cook meat thoroughly. Carefully wash any surface that raw meat has touched, including your hands. Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating them.
• Persons with weak immune systems and pregnant women should avoid contact with cat feces and litter. Wear gloves when gardening or changing cat litter.
• Change cat litter boxes daily. Feed indoor cats only canned, dry, or cooked meat (no raw meat).
• Protect children's play areas, including sand boxes, from cat and dog feces.

expected outcomes

The majority of infected persons have no symptoms. Those with mild symptoms recover on their own.

possible complications

• Complications are rare. Inflammation may occur in the eyes (retinitis), the brain (encephalitis), or heart (myocarditis). People with weak immune systems are more likely to have complications.
• Pregnant women may have a miscarriage or stillbirth.
• Serious health problems or death may result for newborns who get the infection from the mother.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider may do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. A blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
• Treatment is usually not needed for a healthy person with no symptoms or if their symptoms are mild.
• For an infected pregnant female, your obstetric provider will discuss the treatment available, the risks involved, and the expected outcomes.
• For a person with a weakened immune system, treatment is usually with drugs.
• HIV infected persons should discuss testing for toxoplasmosis with their health care provider.
• Infected newborns (with or without symptoms) are usually treated with drugs to help prevent complications that may occur as they get older.
• If drugs are prescribed, your health care provider will do frequent blood tests to monitor for side effects.

medications

• Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are the drugs most often prescribed to treat toxoplasmosis. These or other drugs may be prescribed for a pregnant woman.
• Corticosteroids, if necessary, for inflammation.
• Other drugs are currently being tested.

activity

Usually no limits unless symptoms are severe.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or your child has symptoms of toxoplasmosis.
• Symptoms don't improve after diagnosis and treatment, or prescribed drugs cause any side effects.

Special Notes: