Toxoplasmosis is an infectious diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii (parasite). This disease is very often acquired from infected cats by their physical contact or contact with their feces or by consuming uncooked/improperly cooked meat. It can be easily acquired by people who have weakened immune system. Pregnant women can transmit the infection to her fetus causing complications. It is estimated that more than 60 million people of the USA are carrying this infection. It is easier to prevent toxoplasmosis than treating it.
Risk Factors :
The following are the main risk factors for getting infected with toxoplasmosis.
• Not washing the hands properly after cleaning the cat’s fecal particles or cleaning the litter box of your cat.
• Unknowingly touching your mouth with fingers without washing the hands properly after gardening.
• Eating uncooked or improperly cooked raw meat of pork or lamb.
• Using the same utensils that are used for cooking meat without proper cleaning.
• Drinking the milk of goat without boiling.
• If you have weakened immunity or have undergone organ transplant recently.
• If you are taking treatment for HIV/AIDS infection or undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
• If you are taking medications like corticosteroids for prolonged period (this will weaken your immunity).
• If you have received blood from multiple donors recently.
Symptoms :
Some people may not have any symptoms while others may have mild to moderate symptoms. Some of the common signs of toxoplasmosis are swollen lymph nodes, body-aches, headache, and flu like symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness, and sore throat. For people with weakened immune system and those who have had organ transplantation recently can acquire serious symptoms like confusion, headache, poor concentration, lung infections, blurred vision and seizures.