Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) that can live inside the cells of humans and animals, especially cats and farm animals.
This infection can go unnoticed in most people who have their immune system intact, remaining dormant. In certain individuals, when the immune system becomes vulnerable or is compromised, or in pregnancy, the infection can be reactivated and give symptoms, in many cases, serious.
There are different ways to acquire the infection:
- Ingest products from the soil such as contaminated vegetables (poorly washed), feces of cats or other types of infected cats.
- Ingest raw or cooked meat from infected animals.
- Drink contaminated water.
- From the infected mother to the fetus.
- Blood transfusions or donation of organs from infected patients.
People who have been contaminated can have the following most frequent symptoms:
- General discomfort.
- Muscle pain.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Night sweats.
- Pharyngitis.
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the head and neck.
Women who became infected and developed antibodies before becoming pregnant will not infect their baby but, otherwise, it is very important to take precautions to avoid becoming infected during pregnancy.
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