Toxoplasmosis: Causes, Symptoms and Preventions

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, can be contracted through undercooked meat or contact with cat feces. It's possible for the parasite to transfer to an unborn baby during pregnancy.
While many infected individuals show no symptoms, some may experience flu-like signs. Serious complications are more common in infants and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriage or birth defects due to Toxoplasmosis.
In most cases, treatment isn't necessary. However, drug therapy is prescribed for severe cases, pregnant women, newborns, and those with compromised immune systems. Preventive measures play a key role in reducing the risk of Toxoplasmosis infection.
Symptoms
The majority of individuals infected with toxoplasmosis remain asymptomatic, unaware of their infection. However, some may exhibit flu-like symptoms, such as...
Fever.
• Headache.
• Skin rash.
• Swollen lymph nodes that may last for weeks.
• Muscle aches.
Symptoms of eye disease
• Toxoplasma parasites can infiltrate the inner eye tissues, a condition known as ocular toxoplasmosis. While it can affect individuals with healthy immune systems, the disease manifests more severely in those with weakened immunity. Symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis may encompass:
• Poor vision.
• Eye pain.
• Floaters, which are specks that seem to swim in your vision.
Untreated eye disease can cause blindness.
Effect on people with weakened immune systems
People with weakened immune systems are likely to have more-serious disease from toxoplasmosis. A toxoplasmosis infection from earlier in life may become active again. People at risk include those living with HIV/AIDS, people receiving cancer treatment and people with a transplanted organ.
In addition to serious eye disease, toxoplasmosis can cause severe lung or brain disease for a person with weakened immunity. Rarely, the infection can show up in other tissues throughout the body.
Lung infection may cause:
• Breathing problems.
• Fever.
• Cough.
Toxoplasmosis may cause inflammation of the brain, also called encephalitis. Symptoms may include:
• Confusion.
• Poor coordination.
• Muscle weakness.
• Seizures.
• Changes in alertness.
Effect on fetus or infant
Toxoplasmosis can pass from the mother to the fetus during a pregnancy. This is called congenital toxoplasmosis.
Infection during the first trimester often causes more-severe disease. It also may result in miscarriage. For some babies with toxoplasmosis, serious disease may be present at birth or appear early in infancy. Medical problems may include:
• Too much fluid in or around the brain, also called hydrocephalus.
• Severe eye infection.
• Irregularities in brain tissues.
• An enlarged liver or spleen.
Symptoms of severe disease vary. They may include:
• Problems with mental or motor skills.
• Blindness or other vision problems.
• Hearing problems.
• Seizures.
• Heart disorders.
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also called jaundice.
• Rash.
Most babies with toxoplasmosis do not show symptoms. But problems may show up later in childhood or teenage years. These include:
• Return of eye infections.
• Problems with motor skill development.
• Problems with thinking and learning.
• Hearing loss.
• Slowed growth.
• Early puberty.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your health care provider about a test if you are worried about exposure to the parasite. If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, see your provider if you suspect exposure.
The symptoms of severe toxoplasmosis include blurred vision, confusion and loss of coordination. These need immediate medical care, particularly if you have a weakened immune system.
Causes:
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect most animals and birds. It can only go through the entire cycle of reproduction in domestic and wild cats. These are the main hosts for the parasite.
Immature eggs, a middle stage of reproduction, can be in the feces of cats. This immature egg allows for the parasite to make its way through the food chain. It can pass from soil and water to plants, animals and humans. Once the parasite has a new host, the reproduction cycle goes on and causes an infection.
If you're in typical health, your immune system keeps the parasites in check. They stay in your body but are not active. This often gives you lifelong immunity. If you're exposed to the parasite again, your immune system would clear it out.
If your immune system is weakened later in life, parasite reproduction can start again. This causes a new active infection that can lead to serious disease and complications.
People often get a toxoplasma infection one of the following ways:
• Cat feces with the parasite. Cats that hunt or who are fed raw meat are more likely to carry toxoplasma parasites. You may get infected if you touch your mouth after touching anything that has been in contact with cat feces. This may be gardening or cleaning a litter box.

[@peterharris6604]

Thanks.

[@biotales371]

You're welcome