Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by intracellular parasites, which has a chronic character. The source of the disease are domestic animals, most often cats, there are also cases of infection from pigs, cows and sheep. Infection of children occurs in two ways: through the gastrointestinal tract with unwashed fruits, with the use of poorly thermally processed meat and when the fetus is infected from the pregnant mother.
Symptoms and types of toxoplasmosis in children
The incubation period lasts about two weeks. Toxoplasmosis in children occurs in acute, chronic and latent forms.
In acute toxoplasmosis, acute fever is observed, pronounced intoxication of the body, the liver and spleen are enlarged. Sometimes severe damage to the nervous system occurs in the form of meningitis and encephalitis.
Chronic toxoplasmosis is a sluggish disease. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in children with this form of the disease are erased: a slight increase in temperature, a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbance, headache, general irritability, joint and muscle pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and sometimes vision falls.
With latent toxoplasmosis, the signs of the disease in children are so insignificant that it is possible to establish the presence of the disease only after a thorough examination.
Symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis in children may appear immediately after birth, but may not be noticeable during the first days of a newborn's life. Infection of the fetus causes cerebral palsy, mental retardation and blindness.
Prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis
There is no specific prevention of toxoplasmosis. It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, to conduct sufficient thermal processing of food (first of all meat), to be careful when contacting cats, especially
Treatment of toxoplasmosis
Treatment of toxoplasmosis in children should be carried out comprehensively and necessarily under the supervision of a specialist. For treatment, antibiotics of the tetracycline series, sulfonamides, aminoquinol, metronidazole are used. Immunostimulants and antihistamines are also prescribed. When detecting toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, the question of abortion is usually raised. Toxoplasmosis is a very serious disease, so carefully follow the rules of hygiene, observe the cooking technology.