Most primary infections produce no symptoms. The time between exposure to the parasite and symptom development is 1 - 2 weeks. The disease can affect the brain, lung, heart, eyes, or liver.

Symptoms in persons with otherwise healthy immune systems:

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck
• Headache
• Mild illness with fever, similar to mononucleosis
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat

Symptoms in immunosuppressed persons:

• Confusion
• Fever
• Headache
• Retinal inflammation that causes blurred vision
• Seizures

For symptoms in babies born with the condition, see congenital toxoplasmosis.

Tests to determine infection or to find cysts related to this infection:

• Antibody titers for toxoplasmosis
• Cranial CT scan
• MRI of head
• Slit lamp exam
• Brain biopsy

Images

Antibodies

Congenital toxoplasmosis

Slit-lamp exam

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Toxoplasmosis Overview

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Toxoplasmosis Treatment

Review Date: 12/01/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)