Tonometry

Toxoplasmosis »

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis (toxo) is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is most commonly acquired from contact with cats and their feces or with raw or undercooked meat.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 60 million people in the United States may carry the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because a healthy immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness.

What factors increase the risk of acquiring toxo?

The following situations potentially expose a person to the toxoplasma parasite and increase the risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis:

• touching your hands to your mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or anything that came into contact with cat feces
• eating raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison
  
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