Toxoplasmosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. | [[Toxoplasmosis]] is an infection due to the parasite [[Toxoplasma gondii]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis?== | ||
Most primary infections produce no symptoms. The time between exposure to the parasite and symptom development is 1 - 2 weeks. The disease can affect the brain, lung, heart, eyes, or liver. | Most primary infections produce no symptoms. The time between exposure to the parasite and symptom development is 1 - 2 weeks. The disease can affect the [[brain]], [[lung]], [[heart]], [[eyes]], or [[liver]]. | ||
Symptoms in persons with otherwise healthy immune systems: | Symptoms in persons with otherwise healthy immune systems: | ||
* Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck | * Enlarged [[lymph nodes]] in the [[head]] and [[neck]] | ||
* Headache | * [[Headache]] | ||
* Mild illness with fever, similar to mononucleosis | * Mild illness with [[fever]], similar to [[Infectious mononucleosis|mononucleosis]] | ||
* Muscle pain | * Muscle pain | ||
* Sore throat | * [[Sore throat]] | ||
Symptoms in immunosuppressed persons: | Symptoms in immunosuppressed persons: | ||
* Confusion | * [[Confusion]] | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* Headache | * [[Headache]] | ||
* Retinal inflammation that causes blurred vision | * Retinal inflammation that causes blurred vision | ||
* Seizures | * [[Seizures]] | ||
For symptoms in babies born with the condition, see congenital toxoplasmosis. | For symptoms in babies born with the condition, see [[congenital toxoplasmosis]]. | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Toxoplasmosis is found in humans worldwide, and in many species of animals and birds. Cats are the definitive host of the parasite. | [[Toxoplasmosis]] is found in humans worldwide, and in many species of animals and birds. Cats are the definitive host of the parasite. | ||
Human infection may result from: | Human infection may result from: | ||
* Blood transfusions or solid organ transplants | * [[Blood transfusions]] or [[solid organ transplants]] | ||
* Carelessly handling cat litter, which can lead to accidental consumption of infectious particles | * Carelessly handling cat litter, which can lead to accidental consumption of infectious particles | ||
* Eating contaminated soil | * Eating contaminated soil | ||
* Eating raw or undercooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef) | * Eating raw or undercooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef) | ||
Toxoplasmosis also affects people who have weakened immune systems. The infection may also be passed from an infected mother to her baby through the placenta. | [[Toxoplasmosis]] also affects people who have weakened immune systems. The infection may also be passed from an infected mother to her baby through the [[placenta]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of toxoplasmosis. This | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of [[toxoplasmosis]]. This diosrder requires urgent or emergency care if it occurs in an immunosuppressed person or in a baby, or if confusion, [[seizures]], or other severe symptoms develop. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Those without symptoms typically do not need treatment. Medications to treat the infection include an antimalarial drug and antibiotics. AIDS patients should continue treatment for as long as their immune system is weak to prevent the disease from reactivating. For information regarding treatment of babies and pregnant women | Those without symptoms typically do not need treatment. Medications to treat the infection include an antimalarial drug and antibiotics. [[AIDS]] patients should continue treatment for as long as their [[immune system]] is weak to prevent the disease from reactivating. For information regarding treatment of babies and pregnant women | ||
==Where to find medical care for Toxoplasmosis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Toxoplasmosis?== | ||
| Line 52: | Line 50: | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Acute infection in children may cause swelling of the retina in the eye. In adults with a healthy immune system, toxoplasmosis has a good outcome. | Acute infection in children may cause swelling of the [[retina]] in the eye. In adults with a healthy [[immune system]], [[toxoplasmosis]] has a good outcome. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Permanent disability, such as blindness or learning disorders, in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis | * Permanent disability, such as [[blindness]] or learning disorders, in infants with [[congenital toxoplasmosis]] | ||
* Return of the disease | * Return of the disease | ||
* Spread of infection in a person with a weakened immune system (can be deadly) | * Spread of infection in a person with a weakened [[immune system]] (can be deadly) | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000637.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000637.htm | ||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Neurology]] | [[Category:Neurology]] | ||
[[Category:Neurosurgery]] | [[Category:Neurosurgery]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | [[Category:Obstetrics]] | ||
[[Category:Poultry diseases]] | [[Category:Poultry diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Ophthalmology]] | [[Category:Ophthalmology]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Zoonoses]] | [[Category:Zoonoses]] | ||
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | [[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Emergency mdicine]] | ||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
Latest revision as of 00:27, 30 July 2020
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Toxoplasmosis |
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Toxoplasmosis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
What are the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis?
Most primary infections produce no symptoms. The time between exposure to the parasite and symptom development is 1 - 2 weeks. The disease can affect the brain, lung, heart, eyes, or liver. Symptoms in persons with otherwise healthy immune systems:
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck
- Headache
- Mild illness with fever, similar to mononucleosis
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
Symptoms in immunosuppressed persons:
For symptoms in babies born with the condition, see congenital toxoplasmosis.
Who is at highest risk?
Toxoplasmosis is found in humans worldwide, and in many species of animals and birds. Cats are the definitive host of the parasite. Human infection may result from:
- Blood transfusions or solid organ transplants
- Carelessly handling cat litter, which can lead to accidental consumption of infectious particles
- Eating contaminated soil
- Eating raw or undercooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef)
Toxoplasmosis also affects people who have weakened immune systems. The infection may also be passed from an infected mother to her baby through the placenta.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of toxoplasmosis. This diosrder requires urgent or emergency care if it occurs in an immunosuppressed person or in a baby, or if confusion, seizures, or other severe symptoms develop.
Diagnosis
Tests to determine infection or to find cysts related to this infection:
- Antibody titers for toxoplasmosis
- Cranial CT scan
- MRI of head
- Slit lamp exam
- Brain biopsy
Treatment options
Those without symptoms typically do not need treatment. Medications to treat the infection include an antimalarial drug and antibiotics. AIDS patients should continue treatment for as long as their immune system is weak to prevent the disease from reactivating. For information regarding treatment of babies and pregnant women
Where to find medical care for Toxoplasmosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Toxoplasmosis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Acute infection in children may cause swelling of the retina in the eye. In adults with a healthy immune system, toxoplasmosis has a good outcome.
Possible complications
- Permanent disability, such as blindness or learning disorders, in infants with congenital toxoplasmosis
- Return of the disease
- Spread of infection in a person with a weakened immune system (can be deadly)