Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that occurs in most birds and mammals, including humans.
Signs of toxoplasmosis include mild flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat and aching muscles. However, in most cases, toxoplasmosis doesn't cause any symptoms.
Toxoplasmosis can cause serious complications in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV and AIDS or cancer.
Read more about the complications of toxoplasmosis.
Congenital toxoplasmosis is also more serious and occurs when a woman becomes infected during pregnancy and passes the infection on to her unborn baby. This can result in the baby developing serious health problems such as blindness and brain damage.
Read more about the symptoms of toxoplasmosis.
What causes toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with a common parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). T. gondii can be found in:
- undercooked or raw meat
- cured meat, such as parma ham or salami
- unpasteurised goats' milk
- cat faeces
- soil or cat litter that is contaminated with infected cat faeces
It cannot be passed from person to person, other than in very rare cases of organ transplantation.
Treating toxoplasmosis
Most cases of toxoplasmosis do not need treatment.
Medication is only prescribed if the symptoms of toxoplasmosis are more severe, particularly in people with a weakened immune system. Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine will often be prescribed to treat these patients.
Pregnant women who become infected with toxoplasmosis for the first time may be prescribed antibiotics. This is to reduce the risk of the unborn baby becoming infected and to limit the severity of congenital toxoplasmosis if the baby does become infected.
Read more about treating toxoplasmosis.
Who is affected by toxoplasmosis?
Up to a third of the UK population will have a toxoplasmosis infection at some point in their lives. Once infected, a person is immune from further infection for life.
Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy and congenital toxoplasmosis are rare, with about three babies in every 100,000 born with the condition in the UK.