Toxoplasmosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Humans and animals are at risk from infection, especially cats. Toxoplasmosis can cause flu-like illness or eye problems in some people, although it can cause no symptoms at all. Pregnant women, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems are at risk of toxoplasmosis.
Causes of toxoplasmosis
You can get toxoplasmosis by:
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Eating undercooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison, that contains the parasite.
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Drinking water or milk that is contaminated with the parasite.
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Touching your mouth after handling soil, sand, or cat litter that has been in contact with infected cat feces.
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Receiving an organ transplant or blood transfusion from an infected donor.
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Passing the parasite from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis
Most people who get infected with toxoplasmosis do not have any symptoms. However, some people may develop mild to moderate symptoms, such as:
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Fever
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Fatigue
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Muscle aches
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Swollen lymph nodes
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Sore throat
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Skin rash
These symptoms usually last for a few weeks and then go away on their own.
Some people may develop eye problems due to toxoplasmosis, such as:
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Eye pain
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Poor vision
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Floaters (specks that seem to swim in your vision)
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Sensitivity to light
These symptoms may occur months or years after the initial infection and may affect one or both eyes. If left untreated, toxoplasmosis can cause permanent vision loss or blindness.
Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis
To diagnose toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may:
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Ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and exposure to possible sources of infection.
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Examine your eyes for signs of inflammation or damage.
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Take a blood sample to test for antibodies to the parasite.
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Take a sample of your amniotic fluid, placenta, or umbilical cord blood if you are pregnant to check for the parasite.
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Take a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid, brain tissue, or other organs if you have signs of severe infection to look for the parasite.
Treatment of toxoplasmosis
The majority of people who have toxoplasmosis don't need any treatment since their immune system can eliminate the infection. However, some people may require medication to treat the infection and prevent complications, such as:
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Pregnant people who have a new infection or a reactivated infection to reduce the risk of passing the infection to their babies or having a miscarriage or stillbirth.
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Newborns who have congenital toxoplasmosis to prevent or treat serious health problems, such as brain damage, eye damage, or hearing loss.
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Those with weakened immune systems due to HIV, cancer, organ transplants, or other conditions to prevent or treat life-threatening complications, such as brain inflammation, lung infection, or organ damage.
The type and duration of medication depend on the severity and location of the infection. Some common drugs used to treat toxoplasmosis are:
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Pyrimethamine, which kills the parasite.
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Sulfadiazine, which stops the parasite from growing.
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Clindamycin, which is an alternative to sulfadiazine for people who are allergic to sulfa drugs.
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Spiramycin, which is used to prevent transmission of the infection from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
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Atovaquone, which is used to treat mild to moderate infection in people who have weakened immune systems.
You may also need to take folic acid supplements to prevent anemia caused by some of these drugs.
Prevention of toxoplasmosis
You can prevent toxoplasmosis by taking the following steps:
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Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) and avoid eating raw or undercooked meat.
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Wash your hands, utensils, and cutting boards with soap and hot water after handling raw meat.
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Peel or wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
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Avoid drinking untreated water or unpasteurized milk.
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Wear gloves when gardening or handling soil or sand that may contain cat feces.
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Clean your cat’s litter box daily and dispose of the litter in a sealed bag.
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Keep your cat indoors and feed it only cooked or canned food.
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Do not adopt or handle stray cats or kittens.
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Get tested for toxoplasmosis before or during pregnancy and follow your healthcare provider’s advice on treatment and prevention.
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Take your medication as prescribed if you have toxoplasmosis or a weakened immune system.
