Image from thecatgallery.comWhat on earth is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite found in infected cat feces, undercooked meat, and unwashed vegetables. One may transmit Toxoplasmosis by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces by putting one's hand to the mouth after cleaning the litter box or digging in the garden, or touching anything in contact with infected cat feces. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.
Cats only spread Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks following infection with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. The infection will go away on its own. Cats generally get infected by eating an infected rodent.
Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the "flu" with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more.
Severe toxoplasmosis, causing damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs, can develop from an acute Toxoplasma infection or one that had occurred earlier in life (in babies who were infected in the womb) and is now reactivated. Severe cases are more likely in individuals who have weak immune systems, though occasionally, even persons with healthy immune systems may experience eye damage from toxoplasmosis. Symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis can include reduced vision, blurred vision, pain (often with bright light), redness of the eye, and sometimes tearing.
Who is at risk of severe toxoplasosis?
Infants born to mothers who have not became infected with Toxoplasmosis for the first time during or just before pregnancy are at risk. In other words, if a woman receives her first exposure to Toxoplasma while pregnant, the baby is at particular risk via the placenta. Persons with severly weakened immune systems are at risk.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite found in infected cat feces, undercooked meat, and unwashed vegetables. One may transmit Toxoplasmosis by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces by putting one's hand to the mouth after cleaning the litter box or digging in the garden, or touching anything in contact with infected cat feces. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.
Cats only spread Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks following infection with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. The infection will go away on its own. Cats generally get infected by eating an infected rodent.
Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the "flu" with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more.
Severe toxoplasmosis, causing damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs, can develop from an acute Toxoplasma infection or one that had occurred earlier in life (in babies who were infected in the womb) and is now reactivated. Severe cases are more likely in individuals who have weak immune systems, though occasionally, even persons with healthy immune systems may experience eye damage from toxoplasmosis. Symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis can include reduced vision, blurred vision, pain (often with bright light), redness of the eye, and sometimes tearing.
Who is at risk of severe toxoplasosis?
Infants born to mothers who have not became infected with Toxoplasmosis for the first time during or just before pregnancy are at risk. In other words, if a woman receives her first exposure to Toxoplasma while pregnant, the baby is at particular risk via the placenta. Persons with severly weakened immune systems are at risk.
