The bacterium Toxoplasma gondii is found all over the world in cats and infects many animals, as well as humans. A small number of people show symptoms. Severe infection occurs only in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer or AIDS.
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What is toxoplasmosis?
It is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite that is found inside the bodies of cats, especially domestic cats. Cats can transmit this parasite to humans through feces and secretions through direct contact with them.
Causes of toxoplasmosis
It is transmitted to humans through the following:
- Meat that has not been sufficiently cooked.
- Direct contact with animals, especially cats.
- Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted between all animals living in one place. This parasite may be transmitted to the human body through eating, and touching pet supplies leads to a large degree of infection with this infection.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis
Most people with toxoplasmosis don't have any symptoms, but a small number of people may have flu-like signs of symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Fever.
- Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck area.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Sore throat.
Common symptoms of people with weakened immunity
People with weakened immune systems, the symptoms are neurological and related to brain damage, and they are as follows:
- Behavioral changes.
- Difficulties in locating.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Convulsions and convulsions.
- Neurological dysfunction.
- Involuntary movements.
- Difficulty walking and speaking.
- Partial vision loss.
Complications of toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis can cause complications, including:
- Encephalitis, which causes headaches, coma and convulsions.
- Inflammation of the lung, causing shortness of breath, fever, cough.
- Eye infection, causing eye pain and blurred vision
Toxoplasmosis also affects the fetus. It's worth noting that most newborns with toxoplasmosis may appear healthy at first. But they can show signs of infection with age. It is therefore important to monitor the health status of newborns with toxoplasmosis.
What organs does the parasite target?
The parasite targets a number of organs, namely:
- Skeletal muscles.
- Myocardium.
- Eyes.
- Lymph nodes.
- Lungs.
If a person is healthy and has a strong immune system, he can recognize the parasite and stop its spread naturally.
Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in Turkey
Toxoplasmosis in Turkey can be diagnosed in the following ways:
- Perform a blood test that shows the presence of antibodies to the parasite in the patient's body. A test that measures G antibodies is performed to determine the presence of toxoplasmosis infection.
Sometimes it is necessary to determine the time of exposure, which is critical when pregnant women have toxoplasmosis infection. So a test is used that measures M immune antibodies.
Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy
Infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite can be transmitted during pregnancy from mother to fetus. The infection is severe if the infection is early in pregnancy. This causes slow fetal development, miscarriage or premature birth, or the birth of a baby with birth defects. Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause vision problems, intellectual disabilities later in life and convulsions.
A woman who has been infected before pregnancy only causes transmission to her fetus if her immune system is weakened, leading to reactivation of the infection.
Prevention of toxoplasmosis
Among the most important methods of prevention of toxoplasmosis:
- Avoid drinking contaminated water.
- Wash thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wear gloves when cleaning the garden.
Treatment of toxoplasmosis in Turkey.
Most cases do not need treatment, but if the immune system is weakened, treatment is done with the following medications:
Permethamine (Pyrimethamine).
- Sulfadiazine.
- Folinic acid.
cost of treating toxoplasmosis in Turkey
Turkey has a very high level of extensive experience of its doctors, the infrastructure of its hospitals and the medical services it provides. In addition, the cost of treating toxoplasmosis in Turkey is very low compared to other countries.
Can toxoplasmosis be transmitted from person to person?
Person-toxoplasmosis transmission occurs in some cases, such as blood transfusions or in the case of transplantation of infected organs. It can also be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy or just before pregnancy. However, if the mother is infected long before pregnancy from 6-9 months, it is not transmitted to the fetus if the mother's immune system is healthy and strong.
Is it possible to get toxoplasmosis twice?
This germ is not repeated, as the person becomes immune to it after the first infection with the parasite.
In conclusion, Turkey is one of the developed countries in the field of treating parasitic diseases. It offers several advanced laboratories and hospitals such as Medici Center, which is the best center for treating parasitic diseases in Istanbul. For more information related to toxoplasmosis in Turkey, you can contact Medicsey Center to provide free and immediate consultation. By the best gynecologist in Istanbul Prof. Dr. med. Sona Özdemir.
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