What are the symptoms of newly acquired toxoplasmosis in an adult?
More than 80% of newly infected persons experience no symptoms, and are unlikely to be aware of the infection. Symptoms may occur following an incubation period of one to two weeks after exposure and include mild fever, swollen glands, malaise, muscle and/or joint pain, headache, sore throat, and skin rash. The diagnosis can be confirmed by detecting antibodies to Toxoplasma in the blood. Swelling of the liver or spleen may be noted. In rare cases the lungs, brain, liver, or heart may be involved. The condition usually resolves without treatment within a few months. Immunocompromised patients (including those with AIDS, cancer, or those taking immunosuppressive drugs) are at risk to acquire toxoplasmosis that can become a severe, even fatal, disease.
