Physical signs
Toxoplasmosis is widespread in the general community and normally does not cause any physical signs or illness. However, occasionally a person can become unwell with the following physical signs:
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Swollen glands. |
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Muscle pains. |
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A fever that may come and go. |
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Generally feeling unwell. |
The 'incubation period' of toxoplasmosis, or the time it takes between coming in contact with the parasite and being infected (with or without physical signs) is not really known, but possibly ranges from 5 to 23 days.
Tests and treatments
Most people have immunity to toxoplasmosis (up to 90%) because they have been infected in the past. An infection makes the person's blood produce high levels of 'IgM antibodies'. However, this high level can last in the body for several years, even though the person is no longer infected and can no longer infect their unborn baby.
To detect a recent NEW infection, a series of blood tests need to be done by a specially qualified laboratory (called a reference laboratory), which is capable of interpreting the results correctly. This is because the blood test will often show 'positive', when in fact it is actually negative, mainly because the person is already immune. More than one test needs to be done (days apart), looking for rising IgM antibody levels (or titres), which usually indicates a recent infection.
There is no vaccination available to protect against toxoplasmosis and treatments are only offered to pregnant women who think they have been infected for the first time and do not have immunity (or people with lowered immune systems such as HIV/AIDS). Some European countries test pregnant women routinely at the beginning of their pregnancies to see if they have immunity.