{"id":290004,"date":"2026-09-28T12:03:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T12:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=290004"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:40:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T12:40:45","slug":"diagnostic-what-is-toxoplasmosis-symptoms-causes-treatment-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/diagnostic-what-is-toxoplasmosis-symptoms-causes-treatment-and-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Toxoplasmosis? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What Is Toxoplasmosis?<\/a><\/li>
Types of Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li>
How Does Toxoplasmosis Spread?<\/a><\/li>
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li>
How Is Toxoplasmosis Diagnosed?<\/a><\/li>
Toxoplasmosis Treatment<\/a><\/li>
Possible Complications of Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li>
How to Prevent Toxoplasmosis?<\/a><\/li>
When Should You Consult a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSometimes routine activities like having undercooked meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables, handling faeces of a cat, or even gardening, can expose a person to a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis. Most healthy people with toxoplasmosis have no symptoms or develop a mild illness that usually gets better on its own. However, the infection can be serious during pregnancy or in people with a weakened immune system 1<\/a><\/sup>. This article will help you understand the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of toxoplasmosis in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>What Is Toxoplasmosis?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nToxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite can infect humans and many animals and is found worldwide 2<\/a><\/sup>. Most people with a healthy immune system do not develop noticeable symptoms 3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although toxoplasmosis is usually mild in healthy adults, it can cause serious problems in certain situations. Pregnant women who develop a new infection can pass it to their unborn baby. People with severely weakened immune systems may also develop infections affecting the brain, eyes, or other organs 2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Did You Know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The toxoplasma parasite can remain inactive in the body after the initial infection 3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
According to the government data, in India, around 30-40% of people show evidence of previous toxoplasmosis infection (seroprevalence)4<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 190,100 babies worldwide are estimated to be born each year with congenital toxoplasmosis; that is, they acquire the infection from their mother during pregnancy 5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Toxoplasma gondii survives better in warm and humid places, which may lead to higher infection rates in some tropical areas 6<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Toxoplasmosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Types$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Toxoplasmosis can appear in different forms depending on how the infection affects the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Acquired Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis occurs when a person becomes infected after birth, usually through contaminated food, water, soil or contact with infected cat faeces (that have been left in the environment for several days). In healthy people, it often causes no symptoms or only a mild illness 7<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Congenital Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis occurs when a mother develops a new toxoplasmosis infection during or just before pregnancy and passes it to her developing baby 7<\/a><\/sup>. Although the mother may not have symptoms, the baby can develop serious complications if not treated 6<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Ocular Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nToxoplasmosis from congenital infection or infection after birth can affect the eyes and cause disease such as retinochoroiditis. This can cause inflammation of the retina and leave scars. It may cause symptoms such as blurred or reduced vision, eye pain, redness and sensitivity to light 3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Toxoplasmosis in People with a Weakened Immune System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPeople with weakened immunity may develop a more serious form of toxoplasmosis, particularly if an earlier infection becomes active again. The infection can affect the brain and cause several symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, or problems with movement. It may also affect other organs and requires prompt medical attention 7<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>
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