What Nurses Know...HIVAIDS by Maithe Enriquez

Author:Maithe Enriquez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis may include blood tests, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, and a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. Treatment for toxoplasmosis includes acute (initial) therapy and maintenance therapy. The initial therapy is given for at least 6 weeks and includes taking three or more drugs, such as pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, clindamycin, atovaquone, azithromycin, or Bactrim. Steroids may also be given to help decrease swelling in the brain. Seizure medications may also be necessary. Maintenance therapy includes medications that were taken during acute therapy but in a decreased dose. Maintenance therapy is usually for life but may be discontinued if the immune system improves by taking antiretrovirals and the CD4 count is over 200 for more than 6 months. MRI must also demonstrate that the toxoplasmosis lesions in the brain are no longer present. Although toxoplasmosis is not contagious, there are steps that can be taken to avoid being infected with parasites. Steps to be taken to reduce the risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis:

Avoid eating raw or partly cooked meat. No more rare or medium steaks or hamburgers! Lamb, pork, and venison are more likely to be contaminated by parasites. Rarely, unpasteurized dairy products may be contaminated

Be mindful not to touch your hands to your mouth while handling raw or undercooked meat, and wash your hands well when finished

Take extra precautions when cleaning cutting boards or counters that raw or undercooked meat may have had contact with. The same is true for kitchen utensils, such as knives. Wash areas of contact and utensils with hot, soapy water; rinse well and dry

Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating

Ask friends or family to change the cat’s litter box. If you must handle cat feces, take extra precautions by wearing gloves and a mask

If you garden, ensure to wear gloves and wash your hands well when you are finished handling soil. You may also want to wear a mask

While not a problem in the United States and other developed parts of the world like Canada, Europe, and Australia, toxoplasmosis may infect water supplies. If traveling to developing parts of the world, like Mexico, Africa, or Central America, drink bottled or boiled water

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