Toxoplasmosis | Medtick

Toxoplasmosis

What is it?

A protozoa condition caused by the most common parasite in the world from an infected cat and It cannot be passed from person to person.

  • It can be serious if one has a weak immune system.
  • The parasite is not infectious until one to five days after being excreted by an infected cat, but it can survive in the environment or litter box for over a year. This is why it’s important to carefully change your cat’s litter box every day.
  • All fruits and vegetables you eat should also be washed thoroughly.

Diagnosis tests

  • Serology tests
  • PCR Tests
    • Blood test
    • CSF tests
    • Amniotic fluid tests
  • Ultrasound/CT/ MRI for heart, liver lung and brain lesions
  • Biopsy

Countries where outbreaks have occurred:

South America

  • Brazil

Cause

  • Parasite: Toxoplasma gondii
  • During lambing season
  • Found in uncooked raw meat
  • Unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • Raw cured meat, e.g. Parma ham, salami
  • Contaminated utensils cut from raw meats or under cooked meats
  • Unpasteurised goats milk and cheese
  • Cat faeces
  • Soil or cat litter with contained faeces
  • From infected mother during pregnancy to foetus
  • From infected mother up to 30 months before she conceives

Treatments

  • Blood transfusions
  • Infected organ transplant

Symptoms

  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
  • Swollen lymph glands (lumps on side of neck, armpits, and groin) and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Deafness?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Wounds in brain/head area?
  • Swollen or sticky eye or sensitive to light?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if  have or develop:

  • Cerebral toxocariasis (if condition reaches to brain):
  • Ocular toxocariasis:
    • Blurred vision
    • Floaters (small shapes floating in your field of vision)
    • Reduced vision or loss of vision
  • learning disabilities
  • Liver disease
  • Enlarged Spleen
  • Cerebral palsy
  • If get into lungs:
    • Breathing difficulties
    • Wheezing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Heart palpitations

Pregnancy

If one is pregnant or planning to be pregnant it can lead to:

  • Congenital toxoplasmosis (unborn child having the condition)
  • Hydrocephalus (fluid on the baby’s brain)
  • Brain damage
  • Epilepsy
  • Hearing loss
  • Ocular toxocariasis
    • Blurred vision
    • Floaters (small shapes floating in your field of vision)
    • Reduced vision or loss of vision
  • Learning disabilities
  • Liver disease
  • Enlarged Spleen
  • Cerebral palsy

This condition may show similar symptoms to:


H.I.V Test

  • A H.I.V test should be offered if one has this condition.

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Toxoplasmosis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • Medscape (Professional level)

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  • Healthline

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  • EveryDay Health

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!