Toxoplasmosis

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• QHow does Toxoplasma affect the eyes?

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  A Dr. Louis B. Cantor, MD , Ophthalmology, answered on behalf of American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeSmart

  Toxoplasma infection is usually caused by ingesting the germ from animal feces, uncooked meats, or raw vegetables. Cooking kills the germ. When a pregnant woman becomes infected the germ can be transferred to the baby and among other problems may infect the eye.

  When the eye is infected the back of the eye in the retina is most often involved. The infection results in scarring in the retina which can interfere with vision depending upon which area of the retina is infected and how severe the infection may be.

  The germ often becomes inactive but can remain in the eye in a dormant state where it is “asleep”. Many years later the infection can begin again, usually along one of the edges of the previous scar. Antibiotics and steroid medications can be used to treat the infection.

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• QWhat is toxoplasmosis?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  If you're pregnant, put your partner in charge of taking out the kitty litter. The litter of some cats can include a parasite that can lead to toxoplasmosis, a condition that can restrict the growth of the fetus. Your cat is the primary host for the toxo parasite and can shed egg cysts in its feces that survive for a long time. But don't worry—it's still okay to pet Mr. Whiskers. Just be sure to wash your hands very well in running water after doing so. If you don't have an alternative to changing the litter while pregnant, either wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Toxoplasmosis egg-cysts can survive for up to a year in soil, so wear gloves when gardening, as well.
  
  The parasite can also infect raw food (via a fly that flits from the litter box to your hamburger meat). So wash and cook your food to a temp of 145 degrees for beef, lamb, steaks, and veal roasts, 160 degrees for pork, ground meat, and wild game, and 180 degrees for whole poultry. And cleaning all surfaces that have touched raw meat.
  
  Toxoplasmosis causes flu-like symptoms with muscle aches, brain fog, and swollen glands. Toxo is only a threat to your baby if you're infected for the first time during pregnancy (you may have immunity to it if you've already been exposed). Your provider can do a simple blood test to check whether or not you have antibodies.
• QHow can I avoid toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite in cat feces and raw meat. If you have cats, assign someone else the duty of cleaning the litter box and wear gloves if you garden in places where cats may frequent. Be sure to wash your hands and all surfaces thoroughly after working with raw meat, and avoid eating raw meats.

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• QWhat causes toxoplasmosis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  An infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasma. This infection can be passed by eating an infected article that carries the parasite's eggs. It can only be reproduced in the intestines of a cat, but humans can become a host to the parasite.

  Contamination occurs when you accidentally ingest cat droppings with the parasite or infected food, water, dishware, or produce. You can also develop toxoplasmosis through a contaminated transplant or blood transfusion. Mothers tend to pass the infection to their babies during pregnancy, where it can have serious ramifications.

• QWhat are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Usually individuals who are infected with toxoplasmosis do not show any signs or symptoms. If you do develop symptoms they will probably resemble those of the flu, with a sore body, swelling in the lymph nodes, high temperature, and headache. Individuals with weakened immune systems may show more extreme symptoms like confusion, poor motor skills, seizures, and trouble breathing. Toxoplasmosis can show worse symptoms in babies. A pregnant mother may not show any symptoms but if her baby becomes infected symptoms may occur like eye infections, jaundice, and, later on, deafness, blindness, and retardation.

• QHow does toxoplasmosis affect the body?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, forms small cysts in your body when an individual is infected. Usually, your immune system will develop antibodies against the parasite and you will probaby not see any symptoms. Symptoms that do surface will resemble those of the flu and disappear within a few weeks. For those with weakened immune systems, the infection may display symptoms such as seizures, confusion, or poor motor skills. In pregnancies, the parasite can cause a miscarriage, stillborn child, or the baby may have problems like seizures, mental disability, an abnormally large or small head, or blindness.

• QWhat increases my risk for toxoplasmosis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Those most at risk for developing toxoplasmosis are those with weakened immune systems and women who are pregnant. If you have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, or immunosuppressant drugs, your body may be too weak to fight the infection on its own. Women who are pregnant do not usually show signs of the infection but can pass it to their child with serious ramifications. You are also at risk around infected cats or if you do not take the proper precautions with raw meat and produce.

• QHow is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Toxoplasmosis is usually diagnosed through a blood test in which a doctor looks for certain antibodies your body has produced to fight against the infection. If your body has those antibodies you can either be immune to the infection or still at risk for side effects and complications. If the infection has become more serious and spread to the brain, the doctor may perform a CT scan or an MRI. When a pregnant woman is infected, a doctor will perform an amniocentesis or an ultrasound to determine whether the baby also has the infection.

• QShould I talk to my doctor about my toxoplasmosis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of toxoplasmosis, especially the more extreme signs and symptoms, you should speak to your doctor. It is imperative that you speak to your doctor if you experience symptoms and are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, have recently given birth, or suffer from a weakened immune system. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist if he believes you have toxoplasmosis and are at risk. As with any appointment be sure to discuss with your doctor the causes, symptoms, complications, and treatments associated with toxoplasmosis.

• QWhat are the treatment options for toxoplasmosis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  If you are infected by toxoplasmosis but are otherwise in a good condition, you do not require treatment as your body is fighting the disease on its own. For individuals who suffer from the symptoms of toxoplasmosis, doctors recommend taking pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folic acid. These medications also help in babies infected with toxoplasmosis and individuals who have a weakened immune system. For mothers who are infected with the parasite but have not yet passed it to their baby, doctors recommend the antibiotic spiramycin.