Toxoplasmosis
Prevention:
Avoid undercooked meats, or freeze meat to -20 degrees Celsius
for 2 days. Protect children's play areas from cat and dog
feces. Wash the hands thoroughly after contact with soil that
may be contaminated with animal feces.
Pregnant women should
have their blood examined for Toxoplasma antibody,
and those with negative results should take measures to prevent
infection by avoiding contact with cats, cooking meat thoroughly,
and washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meat. Patients
with HIV disease should have toxoplasma antibody titers checked.
If the results of the blood test are positive and if the CD4
count is less than 200, patients should be given prophylactic
antibiotics (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the medication
of choice).
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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