spacer

CDC HomeHIV/AIDS > Brochures >

  Topics
space
arrow African Americans
space
arrow Basic Information
space
arrow Campaigns
space
arrow Funding
space
arrow Latinos
space
arrow Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
space
arrow Statistics & Surveillance
space
arrow Testing
space
arrow Women
space
arrow More Topics...
space
  Resources by Format
space
arrow Questions & Answers
space
arrow Fact Sheets
space
arrow Brochures
space
arrow Slide Sets
space
arrow Podcasts
space
arrow Software
space
arrow Journal Articles
space
arrow Newsletters
space
arrow Reports
space
arrow Recommendations & Guidelines
space
arrow Other Documents
space
LEGEND:
PDF Icon   Link to a PDF document
Non-CDC Web Link   Link to non-governmental site and does not necessarily represent the views of the CDC
Adobe Acrobat™ Reader needs to be installed on your computer in order to read documents in PDF format. Download the Reader.
spacer spacer
spacer
Skip Nav
spacer  
You Can Prevent Toxo
spacer
spacer

En Español

  • Toxo can be prevented.
  • People with HIV infection should be tested for toxo.
  • Toxo usually causes illness in people whose CD4 count is below 100.
  • TMP-SMX, also known as Bactrim, Septra, or Cotrim*, is the best drug for preventing toxo.

What is toxo?

Toxoplasmosis [tox-o-plaz-MO-sis], or "toxo," is a common infection among people with HIV and AIDS. It usually affects the central nervous system, including the brain. Many people infected with toxo have no symptoms. However, people with HIV or AIDS often get ill from toxo infection.

What are the symptoms of toxo-related illness?

The most common symptoms of toxo-related illness are headache, confusion, and fever. Other symptoms include seizures, poor coordination, and nausea.

How is toxo spread (or transmitted)?

Toxo can be spread in two ways: 1) by eating undercooked meat; and 2) through contact with infected cat stool.

How can I protect myself from toxo infection?

  • meat imageDon’t eat undercooked or raw red meat. Cook meat until its inside temperature reaches 150°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cook meat until it is no longer pink in the center. Red meat is also safe from toxo if it has been frozen for at least 24 hours, smoked, or cured. Chicken, other fowl, and eggs almost never contain toxo. However, you should still cook these foods until well done because of the risk for other diseases.
  • Take special care if you have a cat. You do not need to give up your cat.
  • cat imageAsk someone who is not infected with HIV and is not pregnant to change the litter box daily. This will help get rid of any toxo germs before they can infect you. If you must clean the box yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands well with soap and water right after changing the litter.
  • Keep your cat indoors to prevent it from hunting.
  • Feed your cat only cat food or cook all meat thoroughly before giving it to your cat.
  • Do not give your cat raw or undercooked meat.
  • If you adopt or buy a cat, get one that is healthy and at least 1 year old. Avoid stray cats and kittens. They are more likely than other cats to be infected with toxo.
  • Wash your hands well after touching raw meat and after gardening, yard work, and other outdoor activities.
  • fruit and vegetable imagesWash all fruits and vegetables well before eating them raw.

What happens when someone with HIV has toxo infection?

Infection of Toxo imageWhen someone is infected with toxo, it hides in inactive tissue eggs (or cysts), usually in the brain or muscles. These infections stay inactive as long as the infected person’s immune system is strong. However, when HIV weakens the immune system, toxo can cause illness.

In the United States, from 15 percent to 40 percent of people with HIV infection have been infected with toxo and probably have tissue cysts. Up to half of all persons with AIDS who have toxo infection and a CD4 count under 100 get toxo-related illness.

What should I do to prevent an inactive toxo infection from becoming active?

Medicina antirretroviralThe most important thing you can do is to get the best care you can for your HIV infection. Take your antiretroviral medicine just the way your doctor tells you to. If you get sick from your medicine, call your doctor for advice. Toxo most affects HIV-infected people whose CD4 counts are below100. If you were not tested for toxo when you were tested for HIV, ask your doctor to test you for toxo at your next appointment.

If you have toxo infection and your CD4 count falls below 100, your doctor will prescribe TMP-SMX to prevent illness. TMP-SMX is also used to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). If you can’t take TMP-SMX, other drugs are available for toxo and PCP.

If I have had toxo-related illness, can I get it again?

Yes. If you have had toxo-related illness, you will need to take drugs for the rest of your life to prevent getting it again.

For More Information:

Free referrals and information:

CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
In English, en Español
8A-8P (EST) M-F. Closed weekends and major federal holidays.

Free materials:

Order single copies of this and other HIV/AIDS documents.

Free HIV/AIDS treatment information:

AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440

Project Inform
(800) 822-7422

Links:

Drugs undergoing clinical trials:

AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440

Social Security benefits:

Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213

(You also may request a personal earnings and benefit estimate statement to help you estimate the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits payable on your Social Security record.)

Child Health Insurance Program
1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669)

CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

Additional brochures in the Opportunistic Infections Series:

*Use of trade names does not imply endorsement by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

 

spacer
Last Modified: June 21, 2007
Last Reviewed: June 21, 2007
Content Source:
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
horizontal dividing line
Contact Us
Please click here to view contact information.
divider
spacer
spacer
spacer
Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us
spacer
spacer
spacer Safer, Healthier People
spacer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 8A-8P (EST) M-F. Closed weekends and major federal holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
spacer USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDHHS Department of Health
and Human Services