toxoplasmosis_erin swann
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Over 6 million people are infected and most
are unaware. This parasite may seem
benign, yet it could cause vision loss, brain
damage, or miscarriage.
Picture: Scarring in an
eye due to a Toxoplasmo-
sis infection.
Spreading 2
Symptoms 2
Risks 2
Tests and Prevention 3
Eye Infections 3
Treatment 3
Sources 4
Content
Erin Swann
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a para-
site that normally lives in
cats, birds, and a few
other animals such as hu-
mans. The most com-
monly known way this is
spread is by changing cat
litter. However, this may
not be harmful if your cat
is an indoor cat and has
not come into contact
with the parasite. Another
way to get it is by eating
undercooked meat, espe-
cially pork or lamb. It can
also be contracted from
eating fruits or vegeta-
bles that have been con-
taminated, or just by gar-
dening in contaminated
soil.
miscarriage if they have
been recently infected, or
the baby may be born
with birth defects. Some-
times babies born in-
fected with the parasite
For people who are
healthy, there are usually
no risks. However, people
with AIDS may become
extremely ill. Women who
are pregnant may have a
may develop more severe
problems such as loss of
vision during their teen
years.
What are the Risks?
Babies infected during
pregnancy may exhibit
these signs, or they may
develop them later in life:
Seizures, enlarged liver
and spleen, jaundice, and
severe eye infections.
Confusion, fever, head-
ache, blurred vision due
to inflamed retina, sei-
zures, enlarged lymph
nodes, muscle pain, sore
throat, and a mild illness.
Usually people with
healthy immune systems
don’t experience any
symptoms. However, in
people with AIDS or
pregnant women, you
may experience flu-like
symptoms such as :
What are the Symptoms?
How is Toxoplasmosis Spread?
Page 2 Toxoplasmosis
Your doctor may test you
in several different ways.
Antibody Titers, Cranial
CT Scans, a MRI of the
Head, a Slit Lamp Exam,
or a Brain Biopsy can be
used to identify the para-
site, along with blood
tests.
You can prevent it by
changing your litter every
day, which prevents the
parasite from maturing
enough to infect you.
Wash your hands after
gardening. Cook meats
thoroughly to kill any
parasites in the infected
meat. Avoid touching
your mouth during out-
door activities or while
changing your litter box.
Against common belief,
you can still pet your cat
without contracting the
parasite. You also do not
have to get rid of your cat
as long as you follow the
precautions.
How Can I Be Tested? How Can I Prevent it?
to kill the parasite before
it can damage the fetus or
lead to a severe illness.
If your doctor determines
that a treatment is neces-
sary, it is usually because
you are pregnant or have
AIDS. In these cases, a
medication may be given
How is it Treated?
mediately. You may com-
pletely lose vision. Here
is a picture of a scarred
retina which was dam-
aged by the parasite after
being exposed for too
long.
Sometimes the parasite
may travel to the eye. In
these instances, a few se-
vere complications may
occur. If you have blurred
vision, there may be dam-
age to your retina. This
may lead to scarring and
should be examined im-
Eye Infections
Page 3 Treatment
Erin Swann
Health 2013
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/
toxoplasmosis/gen_info/
faqs.html
For more info:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
health/toxoplasmosis/DS00510/
DSECTION=symptoms
Centers for disease control and
prevention. (01/J).
Cruz. (Photographer). (2009).
Toxoplasmic scarring .
[Web Photo].
Dugdale, D., & Zieve, D. (2011).
Pubmed health.
Mayo Clinic (2011). Toxoplasmo
sis.
University of Iowa
(Photographer). (2007).
Aquired toxoplasmosis r
etina . [Web Photo].
Sources Cited APA
JCIB
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