What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a common parasite. Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the “flu” with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that lasts for a month or more. It can develop from an acute toxoplasma infection or one that had occurred earlier in life and is now reactivated. If a woman is infected with or has reactivation of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, this can cause severe eye or brain damage in her baby. Most babies who are infected while still in the womb have no symptoms at birth, but they may develop symptoms later in life. It is important to know how common this is to decide whether a screening programme would be appropriate.
