Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a type of infection that can be caught from eating under cooked meat such as lamb and pork, drinking contaminated water: and also touching soil that has been contaminated with cat faeces.
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a type of infection which is found all over the world. Many people have antibodies against Toxoplasmosis meaning that they have been exposed to it at some point in the past but only a very few actually develop symptoms. It is mainly caught from raw / undercooked meat (especially pork and lamb), contaminated water and soil that has been in contact with cat faeces.
What are the symptoms?
Some people develop blurred vision and floaters. A small minority may feel flu like symptoms, but this is uncommon.
How is it treated?
Eye Toxoplasmosis is a clinical diagnosis. There is a blood test to detect antibodies to Toxoplasma but if it is positive it just means that your eye inflammation may be due to it - remember a large percentage of the population have already been exposed to Toxoplasma and have no symptoms and therefore they will be positive for the antibody test. Conversely if the test is negative it means that it is unlikely to be the cause of the eye problem.
The inflammation inside the eye will resolve on its own but floaters can persist for many months and treatment may be advised if they are particularly bad, or if the inflammation is close to an important part of the eye. The most common treatment is a combination of an antibiotic and steroids as this offers the best protection by softening the inflammation which is potentially damaging to the eye. Unfortunately, it is common for the infection to recur (approximately 5-7 times in a lifetime) and further treatment could be required dependent on the severity.
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