Toxoplasmosis. Treatment, signs and causes

Infection with toxoplasma (the simplest intracellular parasites) of a person leads to serious changes in his body, in particular, from the side of the nervous system. In the world there are a huge number of people infected with toxoplasm (more than five hundred million people, which is comparable with the number of infected with hepatitis B). This disease is called toxoplasmosis. Treatment is conducted after receiving the results of serological tests. The source of infection are domestic (mostly cats) and wild animals. Also, there is no less risk of infection when eating improperly cooked foods: if meat dishes and eggs have not undergone sufficient heat treatment.

The disease that is caused by toxoplasma, often occurs easily. But there is a danger of lethal for people with a weakened immune system, as well as for the fetus of an infected pregnant woman, since toxoplasma can penetrate the placenta. In this case, it is almost impossible to avoid the intrauterine death of the fetus. Very serious problems (defeat of the eyes, nervous system and other organs) are with the health of the child when the pregnant woman was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. Treatment is not performed, as shown (even if there are no clinical manifestations, but the results of serological tests are positive) in the first trimester of pregnancy its interruption due to possible severe fetal damage. Therefore, during pregnancy, women should avoid contact with infected animals, especially cats.

There are congenital and acquired (acute or chronic forms) parasitic disease of a person, which has the name of toxoplasmosis. Treatment is not carried out by everyone, only in those cases when the signs of the disease are expressed. Acute acquired toxoplasmosis is accompanied by a high temperature, this form is characterized by an increase in the spleen and liver. For the chronic form of toxoplasmosis (which is observed more often), a subfebrile temperature, a headache, an enlargement of the liver and lymph nodes are characteristic. There is also a decrease in working capacity, damage to the heart, eyes, nervous system and other internal organs. Often, toxoplasmosis occurs in a latent (latent) form.

At any age a person can acquire this disease, and it will be chronic. In infants, the disease is congenital. Toxoplasmosis in infants usually affects all body systems. Simultaneously, there are signs such as fever, chills, weakness. Internal organs (spleen and liver) can be enlarged, jaundice is possible. Often a rash appears on the child's body. The baby is characterized by such states: lethargy, drowsiness, and a decrease in muscle tone is also observed. There may be strabismus.

Acquired toxoplasmosis is accompanied by increased fatigue, decreased efficiency and weakness. Characteristic for this condition is the appearance of chills and an increase in temperature to 38.5 ° C. There is a headache, joint and muscle pain. The patient is enlarged (in the third week after infection) with lymph nodes. It can develop pneumonia, encephalitis, endocarditis (heart damage), damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes, the endocrine system, the liver and spleen increase. In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted. Toxoplasmosis in men entails impotence. There are problems with the gastrointestinal tract (bloating, pain, sluggish appetite). All these signs help to identify toxoplasmosis.

Factors contributing to ingestion of toxoplasm into the body and increasing the risk of disease should be remembered. Children from small age should be taught the rules of sanitary culture and personal hygiene. They are simple, but mandatory. It is washing hands after contact with cats and other animals, as well as after cleaning their excrement or cat's toilet. When preparing meat dishes (pork, lamb, venison), dishes and hands should be washed with special detergents, and the cutting board for raw meat (even though it is carefully processed each time) must be separate, that is, it should not be cut fruit , Vegetables, bread or any other products. Otherwise, the risk of getting chronic or acute toxoplasmosis is not ruled out. Treatment is selected individually. Repetition of courses of antibiotics and chemotherapy does not give the required results, but at the same time, leads to an immune imbalance.