How Common Is Toxoplasmosis

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Get the Facts

Toxoplasmosis

What Is Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis (toxo) is an infection caused by the single-celled parasite toxoplasma gondii . A parasite lives inside another living organism (the host) and takes all of its nutrients from the host. The most common illness caused by toxo is an infection of the brain (encephalitis). Toxo can also infect other parts of the body. Toxo can lead to coma and death. The risk of toxo is highest when your CD4 cell (T-cell) counts...

Ask the Experts

Seriousness of Toxoplasmosis

Feeling quite educated about HIV/AIDS, I was surprised to learn more about the opportunistic infection of Toxoplasmosis. I have been reading up on this condition and found a statistic that 40 of AIDS patients have it. If it is so common, how is it...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend-- please accept my sympathies.Toxo can indeed be a devastating illness, but the 40% figure you quoted isn't accurate, at least for the U.S. The prarsite that causes toxoplasmosis is more common... Read more »

How can a Dr tell if you have brain tumor or toxoplasmosis?

My cousin has just been diagnosed with HIV. He has had a CT scan that showed an abnormality. But because he has no insurance we have been trying to get a diagnosis without a biopsy. What are other ways to tell if it is a brain tumor or...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Although the best way to get an accurate diagnosis is do to a biopsy, health care professionals will often treat for two weeks with medications which target the toxoplasmosis, an opportunistic infection seen in HIV-infected individuals. Things which... Read more »

hiv, aids, toxoplasmosis, epilepsy

Hello dear doctor and thank you very much for your answers here!I have hiv for about 6 years now, got diagnosed in august last year.I got toxoplasmosis in february this year and having epileptical attacks time to time.At the moment I'm taking...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Toxoplasmosis can result in seizures which can be recurrent. I have cared for numerous patientts with your condition. Daraprim is a treatment for toxoplasmosis which is often continued until CD4 count is consistently > 300-350 and there has been... Read more »

Toxoplasmosis treatments

Being I am very weak,I am afraid of the possible toxic effects of pyrimethamine for toxoplasmosis treatment. Are there any alternatives to try or any studies or trails for alternate therapies,including any natural items that might help. Thank you...

Response from Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.

University of Utah, School of Medicine

I am not sure why you are afraid of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. The most common side effect is anemia or low white blood count, but these can be treated with transfusion, erythropoietin (Epogen), or GCSF (Neupogen). We often give folinic acid... Read more »

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Connect With Others

Toxoplasmosis

Posted by Anonymous

Just wondering if any of you have had, or known others who have had, toxoplasmosis. can you give me some information regarding long term effects in advanced infections?? Thank you soooo much! My email address is kalicrow@hotmail.com! thanks again!

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common cold vs. ars

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

can the common cold be confused with ars ?

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Common Cold?

Posted by Anonym, 2 Replies

Is a constant cold (sneezing, runny nose, etc) a sign that you are close or even at at the point of full blown aids or a substantial decrease in your t-cell count. Are constant cold typcial in HIV pos individuals? Read more »

No common cold in 5-7 years ?

Posted by squanderer, 2 Replies

I used to get colds that lasted days and weeks more than 6 years ago. However, in the last 6 years I haven't had much of a cold, and when I feel a bad cold coming on the next day its gone. I am wondering if any HIV positives have experieced this... Read more »

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