Treatment of toxoplasmosis in humans, its types and prevention of infection
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that can affect all organs and systems of the body. The disease is dangerous, under certain conditions it can lead to infertility or the birth of children with congenital pathologies. Considering this, everyone should know the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans - early seeking qualified medical help helps to avoid complications.
Clinical picture of toxoplasmosis
Most often, this infection is asymptomatic or accompanied by an uncharacteristic clinical picture. The most striking symptoms of toxoplasmosis include:
- general weakness and constant headache;
- hyperthermia (increase in body temperature to critical levels);
- slight pain during palpation and a certain increase in lymph nodes;
- sharp violation of visual acuity;
- enlargement of the spleen and liver;
- irregular vomiting.
Such symptoms are often perceived as a signal of the progression of an acute respiratory viral disease. Therefore, the wrong treatment is prescribed, which "smears" the clinical picture. In this case, toxoplasmosis turns into a chronic form and will be characterized by:
- weakness and quick fatigue;
- constantly elevated body temperature (subfebrile indicators prevail);
- constant non-intense headache;
- increasing lymph nodes.
In pediatric practice, toxoplasmosis will be manifested not only by the above-mentioned symptoms, but also by a rash on the skin of unknown etiology, jaundice and drowsiness.
In medicine, two types of toxoplasmosis are distinguished - acquired and congenital. If a child is born to a woman suffering from this infectious disease, she will have signs of congenital toxoplasmosis of the brain, hydrocephalus, convulsive syndrome or full-fledged convulsions, defective areas of the brain (detected by X-ray examination).
Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis
Diagnostic measures for suspicion of this disease are carried out comprehensively. The most important thing is the laboratory examination of blood - blood count, general clinical analysis, immunoenzyme analysis. A competent interpretation of the results of tests for antibody avidity will allow the doctor to prescribe an additional study - the polymerase chain reaction. This is one of the most informative methods of detecting or ruling out toxoplasmosis - the genes of the parasite will be detected (undetected) in the biological material taken for research.
The diagnosis of this infectious disease in women should be mentioned separately. First of all, everyone needs to take a blood test for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy - for this, a test for TORCH infection is prescribed. Doctors recommend to undergo such an examination before the moment of conception. Even at the stage of pregnancy preparation/planning, a woman will have time, in case of an infection, to complete a full course of treatment and not worry about the health of the future baby. Secondly, if the test for toxoplasmosis is positive, it will be possible to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy - this is a necessary measure, because the infection during this period enters the body of the future child, stopping its development and leading to a miscarriage.
The disease begins to develop only from the moment the parasite enters the human body, which can happen not only in close contact with an already sick person/carrier, but also from cats. It is these pets that most often carry toxoplasmosis, so no one can be safe from infection.
Timely diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in women, men and children allows to undergo a course of therapy and avoid dangerous complications/consequences.
Treatment of acute/chronic toxoplasmosis
The optimal option is to undergo a course of therapy in the inpatient department of a medical institution, but in reality, only chronic toxoplasmosis is treated in this way in adults with concomitant general diseases. It is noteworthy that it is impossible to defeat this form of the disease, there will be no complete recovery. But by prescribing a complex of drugs, it is possible to enter the pathology into a stage of long-term remission and reduce the intensity of symptoms.
As a rule, as part of the treatment, the following are prescribed:
- sulfanilamides;
- tetracycline antibiotics;
- antihistamine drugs;
- vitamin complexes;
- immunomodulatory means.
How to avoid infection with toxoplasmosis? Some rules must be followed:
- do not allow cats to be on the tables;
- do not allow close contact with pets (do not kiss, do not hug cats);
- lead a healthy sex life and avoid unprotected contacts.
More complete information about the infection and about the consequences of toxoplasmosis for children (cat lovers), what are the diagnostic/treatment methods, can be obtained on our website Dobrobut.com.
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