Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Although the symptoms of toxoplasmosis are often not obvious, toxoplasmosis is one of the more serious conditions a pregnant woman can have. When pregnant, it's important to notify the doctor of any unusual symptoms. Since toxoplasmosis is tougher to identify, familiarity with the symptoms may mean the difference between a successful pregnancy and one full of complications.

What Is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a condition where a parasite infects the body and causes complications. Those who have immune system problems can suffer from the condition, as can babies whose mothers pick up the parasite while pregnant. Babies who are infected can develop serious complications, such as seizures, mental disabilities or physical disabilities.

Cause Of Toxoplasmosis
A pregnant woman can contract toxoplasmosis in a variety of ways. The one-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii can be ingested when a woman eats or drinks something containing the parasite. The most likely sources are undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and veggies and infected water. She can get it from contaminated soil, such as from a garden. Many women get it from cleaning a cat's litter box, as the parasite is often found in animal stools. A woman who is pregnant should take every precaution to avoid situations where she might pick up the parasite.

Symptoms Of Toxoplasmosis
Some of the more common symptoms of toxoplasmosis are fever, general fatigue, head and body aches and swelling lymph nodes. Many people compare the feelings to that of influenza. Severe toxoplasmosis infection symptoms include clumsy coordination, blurry vision and reduced mental clarity.

Pre-Pregnancy Testing
Before getting pregnant, a woman can contract the parasite and have little to worry about. There is little risk of passing the infection on to an unborn child. The risks occur when the woman is infected while pregnant or just before becoming pregnant. Getting a blood test to determine if the parasite is present will allow women to take extra precautions if need be in order not to contract it and pass it on to their children.