Toxoplasmosis Threat To Humans

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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...

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Toxoplasmosis

What is toxoplasmosis...

Response from Joseph McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P.

North Shore University Hospital

Thanks for the question.Toxoplasmosis is a type of parasitic infection that can be acquired at birth or through ingestion (undercooked meat) or contact with animals, such as cats (changing kitty litter, etc). It is not a bacteria or a fungus or a... Read more »

Toxoplasmosis

How can I tell if my kitten is carriying Toxoplasmosis I recieved her from the humane society shelter in pittsburgh. I know they tested her for other things but I am not sure about Tox. Is there some way I can test her?Thnks a lot!I Dont want to get...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I'm not a veterinarian so I do not know if there is a way to test your kitten's stools for toxoplasmosis. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to wear rubber or plastic gloves when you clean her litterbox and wash your hands... Read more »

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 »

HIV threat to correctional officers

I'm cosidering a position as a correctional officer in the state of Massachuessets, what is the chance of being infected from an HIV positive inmate?...

Response from Nancy Breuer

WorkPositive, Inc.

To my knowledge, there are no documented cases of occupational HIV infections among U.S. correctional officers. Despite the widespread public concern about biting, in fact the biter would have to break the other person's skin and have blood in... Read more »

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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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