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