Toxoplasmosis is a common condition that occurs worldwide in most birds and warm-blooded mammals, including humans.
In most cases, toxoplasmosis does not have any symptoms. This is because a healthy immune system is usually able to defend the body from the parasite and prevent it from causing illness.
What causes toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is one of the world's most common parasites. T. gondii can be found in:
- undercooked or raw meat,
- raw cured meat, such as parma ham or salami,
- unpasteurised goat’s milk,
- cat faeces, and
- soil or cat litter that is contaminated with infected cat faeces.
Toxoplasmosis cannot be passed on through person-to-person contact, but it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. This is only possible if a women catches the infection either:
- during pregnancy, or
- up to three months before she conceives.
If a baby is born with the infection, it is known as congenital toxoplasmosis.
How common is toxoplasmosis?
Up to half of the UK population will have a toxoplasmosis infection at some point in their lives. Once infected, a person is then immune from further infection for life.
In Europe, it is estimated that between 0.2-1.6 per cent of pregnant women become infected with the T. gondii parasite. In the UK, congenital toxoplasmosis is very rare, with about three babies in every 100,000 being born with the condition.
Outlook
Toxoplasmosis can cause mild flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and muscle aches, but these will usually pass without treatment after a few weeks.
Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause serious health problems in babies and can sometimes be fatal. It can cause:
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin),
- eye infections, or
- seizures.
Toxoplasmosis is also dangerous for people with immune deficiencies (weakened immune systems) - for example, those with HIV and AIDS, or cancer. In these cases, the infection can cause serious complications, including vision problems and brain damage.
Disease
A disease is an illness or condition that interferes with normal body functions.
Faeces
Stool (also known as faeces) is the solid waste matter that is passed from the body as a bowel movement.
Immune system
The immune system is the body's defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses.
High temperature
A fever is when you have a high body temperature (over 38C or 100.4F).
Aches
An ache is a constant dull pain in a part of the body.
Illness
A disease is an illness or condition that interferes with normal body functions.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, brought on by liver problems.
Brain
The brain controls thought, memory and emotion. It sends messages to the body controlling movement, speech and senses.
