Toxoplasmosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite often spread through undercooked meat or contact with cat feces, is treated by an infectious disease doctor. Most healthy people have mild or no symptoms and usually need no treatment. Pregnant women and people with weak immune systems should take extra steps to lower their risk. Talk to a doctor if you are pregnant and think you may have toxoplasmosis.
What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. A parasite is a living thing that lives on or inside another living thing. It also lives in cats. It can stay in the body for a long time, even up to a lifetime.
Most people who get infected do not get sick. But the infection can cause serious problems for some people. These include people with weak immune systems and babies whose mothers get infected for the first time during pregnancy. Problems can include damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs.
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. If symptoms appear, they usually start about 1 to 2 weeks after contact with the parasite. People with a healthy immune system may have flu-like symptoms. These can include:
- Swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the head and neck.
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Muscle pain.
- Sore throat.
- Vision problems.
In people with a weak immune system, symptoms can include confusion, fever, headache, blurred vision from inflammation in the eye, and seizures. The infection can also damage the eye. An ophthalmologist, an eye doctor, treats toxoplasmosis in the eye. Babies infected in the womb often have no symptoms at birth but can develop symptoms later in life.
Causes and who gets it
People can get toxoplasmosis in several ways:
- Eating undercooked meat, shellfish, or unwashed fresh produce that has the parasite on it.
- Taking in the parasite by accident from cat feces or soil that has it.
- Drinking infected water.
- Using utensils or cutting boards that touched contaminated raw meat.
- Getting an infected organ or infected blood in a transplant or transfusion, which is rare.
- Passing the infection from a newly infected mother to her unborn baby.
Some people need to be more careful, including pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.
You can lower your risk with a few steps. Use a food thermometer to cook food to a safe temperature. Wash your hands with soap and water after you touch anything that may have cat feces on it. Pregnant women and people with weak immune systems should not clean cat litter boxes.
How doctors diagnose it
If you think you may be infected, talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider may order different blood tests to help find out if you are infected. You may also have a CT scan of the head, an MRI of the brain, or a slit lamp exam of the eyes. Pregnant women and people with HIV or AIDS should be screened for it with a blood test.
Treatment
Most people with healthy immune systems do not need treatment. If symptoms occur, they will usually go away within a few weeks to months. Medicines for the infection include antibiotics and a specific antimalarial medicine. People with AIDS should keep treatment going while their immune system is weak. This helps prevent the disease from coming back. People with a healthy immune system usually recover well with treatment. The disease may return. In people with a weak immune system, the infection may spread throughout the body and can lead to death.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider for an appointment if you have symptoms of this infection. Medical care is needed right away if symptoms occur in an infant or baby. It is also needed right away for someone with a weak immune system. Also seek medical treatment right away if confusion or seizures occur. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if someone has trouble breathing or faints.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can talk with you about ways to lower your risk and can order the blood tests your provider thinks you need. They can also refer you to a specialist when needed.
Common questions
How is toxoplasmosis usually diagnosed?
Toxoplasmosis is usually diagnosed with blood tests. Your provider may order different blood tests to help find out if you are infected.
Can a direct primary care doctor manage toxoplasmosis?
A direct primary care doctor can order the blood test. Most people with healthy immune systems do not need treatment. Pregnant patients and people with weak immune systems should ask their provider about extra precautions.
Is toxoplasmosis dangerous during pregnancy?
Toxoplasmosis caught during pregnancy can sometimes affect the developing baby. Problems can include damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs. Simple food safety steps, like fully cooking meat, lower the risk of catching it in the first place.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Toxoplasmosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Toxoplasmosis
- MedlinePlus - Toxoplasmosis (Health Topic)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
