Toxoplasmosis Symptoms
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Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis
Most people do not have symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may experience the following:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pharyngitis/Tonsillopharyngitis
- Muscle aches and pains
- Rash
People with weakened immune systems may develop toxoplasmosis infections in multiple organs. Infection is most common in the brain ( Encephalitis), eye (Chorioretinitis), and lung (pneumonitis). Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Seizure Disorder
- Headache
- Visual defects
- Problems with speech, movement, or thinking
- Mental illness
- Shortness of breath
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In babies, the severity of symptoms depends on when during pregnancy the mother became infected. If infection occurs during the first three months of pregnancy, babies are less likely to become infected, but if they do, their symptoms are much more severe. During the last six months, babies are more likely to become infected, but their symptoms are less serious. Toxoplasmosis can also cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
About one in 10 babies born with toxoplasmosis has severe symptoms. These include:
- Visual defects due to eye infections (chorioretinitis)
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- Pneumonitis
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
- Brain malformations
- Intellectual Disability
- Cerebral Palsy
- Seizures
Many babies infected with toxoplasmosis who seem healthy at birth may develop problems months or years later. These include:
- Visual defects
- Hearing Loss
- Learning disabilities
- Seizures
