In most cases of toxoplasmosis, treatment is not necessary, as the immune system is capable of fighting the parasite responsible for the infection. However, when a person has a more compromised immune system or when the infection occurs during pregnancy, it is important that the treatment is carried out according to the doctor’s recommendations.
In general, the treatment recommended by the doctor involves the use of medications such as sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole and spiramycin, for example, the dose of which may vary according to the type of toxoplasmosis and parasite load, in addition to the symptoms presented.
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasmosis gondiior T. gondii, which can cause infection when a person comes into contact with contaminated cat feces, water or food contaminated by this parasite. Check out more details about the transmission of toxoplasmosis.
The treatment of toxoplasmosis may vary according to the person’s age, immune system and symptoms. The medications recommended by the general practitioner or infectious disease specialist aim to promote the elimination of the proliferative and infective forms of the parasite.. Thus, the recommended treatment may be:
1. During pregnancy
Treatment for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy varies according to the gestational age and the degree of infection of the pregnant woman, and may be recommended by the obstetrician:
- Spiramycin for pregnant women suspected of being infected or who were infected during pregnancy;
- Sulfadiazine, Pyrimethamine and Folinic Acid, from 18 weeks of gestation. If it is confirmed that the baby is infected, the pregnant woman must take this cocktail of medicines for 3 consecutive weeks, alternating with Espiramycin for approximately 3 more weeks until the end of the pregnancy, with the exception of Sulfadiazine, which should only be taken until the end of pregnancy. 34th week of pregnancy.
However, this treatment does not guarantee protection of the fetus against the agent that causes toxoplasmosis, as the later the pregnant woman begins treatment, the greater the chances of fetal malformation and congenital toxoplasmosis. Therefore, to avoid this condition, pregnant women must undergo prenatal care and undergo a blood test to diagnose toxoplasmosis in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Pregnant women who have had toxoplasmosis before pregnancy have probably already developed immunity against the disease parasite, meaning there is no risk of infecting the baby. However, toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to the baby when the pregnant woman is infected for the first time during pregnancy, which can cause miscarriage, fetal death, mental retardation, epilepsy, eye damage that can lead to blindness in the baby, deafness or injuries. brain. See what the risks of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy are.
2. Congenital toxoplasmosis
Treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis is done after the baby is born, with the use of antibiotics for 12 months, such as sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin. However, some malformations caused by the disease may not have a cure and, therefore, pregnant women should seek diagnosis of the disease as soon as possible to avoid serious problems in the fetus.
3. Ocular toxoplasmosis
The treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis varies depending on the location and degree of infection in the eyes, but also on the patient’s clinical status, and can last up to 3 months in individuals with a reduced immune system.
The treatment recommended by the doctor usually consists of a combination of medicines, the most common being clindamycin, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and spiramycin. After treatment with medication, it may be necessary, in some cases, to undergo surgery to resolve other problems caused by ocular toxoplasmosis, such as retinal detachment, for example.
How to achieve a cure for toxoplasmosis
To achieve a cure for toxoplasmosis, it is important that the disease is identified at its first symptoms and that treatment is started immediately afterwards and carried out according to the doctor’s instructions. This is because when the disease is not identified quickly, the treatment is not carried out adequately or is not effective, there is a greater risk of developing forms of resistance of the parasite, which remain within the tissues, being indicative of chronic infection and with the possibility of re-infection.
Therefore, the best way to avoid the disease is by adopting preventive measures, such as avoiding consuming raw food and potentially contaminated water, putting your hands in your mouth after handling raw meat and avoiding direct contact with pet feces.
