Toxoplasmosis (patient information)

WikiDoc Resources for Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Most cited articles on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Review articles on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Articles on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Images of Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Photos of Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Videos on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Bandolier on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) TRIP on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Clinical Trials on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) NICE Guidance on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) CDC on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Books
Books on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
News
Toxoplasmosis (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) News trends on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Discussion groups on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Patient Handouts on Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Toxoplasmosis (patient information) Treatment of Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
International
Toxoplasmosis (patient information) en Espanol Toxoplasmosis (patient information) en Francais
Business
Toxoplasmosis (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Toxoplasmosis (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Toxoplasmosis (patient information)

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 (condition)?

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:

• Confusion
• Fever
• Headache
• Retinal inflammation that causes blurred vision
• Seizures

For symptoms in babies born with the condition, see congenital toxoplasmosis.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of toxoplasmosis. This disorder 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 (condition)?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition

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)

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000637.htm