Toxoplasmosis in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Toxoplasmosis

is an infection caused by parasites. Healthy children usually do not become ill from this infection. The infection may cause illness in children with a weak immune system. If your child has a weak immune system, toxoplasmosis may damage his or her eyes, brain, or other organs. Babies who are infected before birth are at risk for problems with learning, memory, and movement. They are also at risk for vision and hearing problems.

Signs and symptoms:

• Your child may have symptoms at birth if he or she was infected during pregnancy. Instead, your child may not have symptoms until he or she is older. A child that gets toxoplasmosis through food, water, or contact with cat feces will have symptoms at the age of infection.
• Your child may have symptoms similar to the flu, such as muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes.
• Toxoplasmosis infection of your child's eyes may cause vision loss, red eyes, or eye swelling. Your child's eyes may point different ways.
• Toxoplasmosis infection of your child's brain may cause seizures or problems walking. Your child may also have problems with learning and memory.
• Other symptoms depend on which organs are affected by toxoplasmosis.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has trouble breathing or has chest pain.
• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child cannot be woken.
• Your child loses consciousness.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child's eyes or skin are yellow.
• Your child is weak, confused, and has trouble thinking.
• Your child has trouble walking or moving.
• Your child has a severe headache.
• Your child has severe abdominal pain and his or her abdomen is larger than usual.

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child has a rash.
• Your child has nausea or is vomiting.
• The lymph nodes in your child's neck, groin, or armpits feel hard and swollen.
• Your child tells you that he or she has changes in his or her vision or has blurry vision.
• Your child's eyes are sensitive to light.
• The white part of your child's eye is red.
• Your child does not meet development milestones at the age that he or she should.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Medicines:

Your child may need any of the following:

• Medicines help treat toxoplasmosis. Your child may be given medicine to prevent toxoplasmosis if he or she has a weak immune system.
• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If your child takes blood thinner medicine, always ask if NSAIDs are safe for him or her. Always read the medicine label and follow directions. Do not give these medicines to children younger than 6 months without direction from a healthcare provider.
• Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he or she has the flu or a fever and takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin or salicylates.
• Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Daraprim
• clindamycin
• Bactrim
• Zithromax
• Mepron

View more treatment options

Care for child:

• Give your child plenty of liquids as directed. Liquids can prevent dehydration. Ask how much liquid to give your child each day and which liquids are best for him or her.
• Have your child rest as directed. Ask your child's healthcare provider when he or she can return to normal activities.

Prevent toxoplasmosis:

Your child may be given medicine to prevent toxoplasmosis if he or she has a weak immune system.

• Freeze meat for at least 48 hours before you feed it to your child. This helps kill parasites and other harmful bacteria.
• Cook meat as directed before you feed it to your child.
  • Cook ground meat to 160°F.
  • Cook ground poultry, whole poultry, or cuts of poultry to at least 165°F. Remove the meat from heat. Let it stand for 3 minutes before you feed it to your child.
  • Cook whole cuts of meat other than poultry to at least 145°F. Remove the meat from heat. Let it stand for 3 minutes before you feed it to your child.
• Peel and wash fruits and vegetables before you feed them to your child. This will help remove any parasites that might be on the food.
• Wash dishes that have touched raw meat in hot water with soap. This includes cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and serving containers.
• Give your child filtered or treated water only when you travel. If you and your child travel to countries outside of the US and Europe, make sure the drinking water is safe. If you do not know if the water is safe, you and your child should drink bottled water only.
• Keep litter boxes covered and out of your child's reach. This will decrease his or her contact with cat bowel movements. Tell your older child to wash his or her hands after he or she cleans a litter box.
• Keep sand boxes covered. Cats sometimes have a bowel movement in sand boxes. This can increase your child's risk for toxoplasmosis. Wash your child's hands after he or she plays in the sand box.
• Have your child wash his or her hands often. He or she should wash after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Have your child use soap and water. Show him or her how to rub soapy hands together, lacing the fingers. Wash the front and back of the hands, and in between the fingers. The fingers of one hand can scrub under the fingernails of the other hand. Teach your child to wash for at least 20 seconds. Use a timer, or sing a song that is at least 20 seconds. An example is the happy birthday song 2 times. Have your child rinse with warm, running water for several seconds. Then dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Your older child can use hand sanitizer with alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

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