Toxoplasmosis
Overview
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that you can catch from the poo of infected cats, or infected meat. It's usually harmless but can cause serious problems in some people.
Symptoms
Toxoplasmosis does not usually cause any symptoms and most people do not know they've had it. Some people may have flu-like symptoms such as: high temperatureheadachesore throataching bodyswollen glandsfeeling tiredfeeling sick or being sick Some people may have more serious symptoms including: confusionblurred visionslurred speechunsteady walking
Treatment
Most people who get toxoplasmosis get better without treatment. However, you’ll usually be given medicines, including antibiotics, if you: are pregnanthave a weakened immune system, for example, you’re taking immunosuppressant medicines or you have HIVhave symptoms affecting your eyes Newborn babies with toxoplasmosis are also treated with antibiotics and sometimes other medicines to treat the symptoms. If you’re seriously ill, you may need to be treated in hospital.
Prevention
The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis can be found in the poo of infected cats, and in undercooked meat. You can also catch it from soil that's been contaminated by cat poo. There are things you can do if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system to help you avoid toxoplasmosis. wear gloves while gardening, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards wear gloves while gardening, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards wash your hands before preparing food and eating wash your hands before preparing food and eating wash hands, knives and chopping boards thoroughly after preparing raw meat wash hands, knives and chopping boards thoroughly after preparing raw meat wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of any traces of soil wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of any traces of soil thoroughly cook meat, especially lamb, pork and venison thoroughly cook meat, especially lamb, pork and venison avoid cat poo in cat litter and soil if you can, wearing gloves if you need to empty cat litter trays and washing your hands afterwards avoid cat poo in cat litter and soil if you can, wearing gloves if you need to empty cat litter trays and washing your hands afterwards do not eat raw or undercooked meat, or cured meats like salami or parma ham do not eat raw or undercooked meat, or cured meats like salami or parma ham do not have unpasteurised goats' milk or any products made from it do not have unpasteurised goats' milk or any products made from it do not touch pregnant sheep or lambs do not touch pregnant sheep or lambs do not feed cats raw or undercooked meat do not feed cats raw or undercooked meat You cannot catch toxoplasmosis from stroking a cat, having a cat as a pet or from coming into contact with someone who's got it.