Healthy people who become infected with Toxoplasmosis often do not have symptoms because their immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. When illness occurs, it is usually mild with “flu-like” symptoms (e.g., tender lymph nodes, muscle aches, etc) that last several weeks and then go away. However, the parasite remains in the body in an inactive state. It can become reactivated if the person becomes immunosuppressed.

• Touching or coming into contact with infected cat feces (cats get the infection from eating infected rodents, birds or other small animals).
• Eating raw or undercooked meat that’s infected.
• Eating uncooked, unwashed fruits or vegetables that have been contaminated by manure.
• Being born with it (a woman who gets a toxoplasmosis infection while pregnant may pass the parasite on to her unborn child through the bloodstream)

Although toxoplasmosis parasites may grow and multiply within 1 week after entering a person’s body it may be weeks or months before symptoms of the infection appear (if they appear at all).

Once a person has become infected with toxoplasmosis, the infection remains in the body for life, usually in the “inactive” form that won’t cause the person any side effects or harm. The infection can be reactivated, however, if the immune system becomes compromised by an HIV infection or cancer therapy.

www.righthealth.com/topic/toxo
www.webmd.com

Between 50% and 80% of adults in the United States are infected with CMV by 40 years of age. Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpes virus family, which includes herpes simplex viruses and the viruses that cause Chicken Pox (VZV/Varicella Zoster Virus) and infectious mononucleosis (Epstein Barr Virus).

Once CMV is in a person’s body, it stays there for life; most infections are “silent”, meaning they cause no signs of symptoms in an infected person.

Transmission of CMV occurs from person to person, through close contact with body fluids (urine, saliva/spit, breast milk, blood, tears, semen, and vaginal fluids)

http://www.righthealth.com/topic/cytomegalovirus_(cmv)
www.webmd.com

Lyme disease is an infection that is spread by ticks. You can get Lyme disease if you are bitten by an infected tick. But most people who have had a tick bite do not get Lyme disease. Lyme disease is common in the United States. It can also be found in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. Infected ticks spread the bacteria by biting people or animals.

One sure sign of Lyme disease is a round, red rash that spreads at the site of a tick bite. This rash can get very large. Flu-like symptoms are also very common. People in the early stages of Lyme disease may feel very tired and have headaches, sore muscles and joints, and a fever.

www.righthealth.com/topic/lyme
www.webmd.com

Mononucleosis, also called “mono” (EBV, Epstein Barr Virus) is a common viral illness that can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. Mono goes away on its own.

Mononucleosis (Mono, EBV, Epstein Barr Virus) most common symptoms are a high fever, a severe sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils and weakness and fatigue.

Usually only self-care is needed for mono. Get plenty of rest. (You may need bed rest, which could keep you away from school or work for a little while.) Gargle with salt water or use throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and relieve a sore throat and headaches.

www.righthealth.com/topic/mono
www.webmd.com

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick. You may cough, run a fever and have a hard time breathing. For most people, pneumonia can be treated at home. It often clears up in 2-3 weeks. But older adults, babies, and people with other diseases can become very ill. They may need to be in the hospital.

You can get pneumonia in your daily life, such as at school or work. This is called community-based pneumonia. You can also get it when you are in a hospital or nursing home. This is called hospital-based pneumonia. It may be more severe because you are already ill.

Pneumonia usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. When you have mild symptoms, your doctor may call it “walking pneumonia”.

1. Cough (you will likely cough up mucus from your lungs. Mucus may be rusty or green or tinged with blood)
2. Fever
3. Fast breathing and feeling short of breath.
4. Fast heartbeat
5. Feeling very tired or feeling very weak.
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Diarrhea
8. Shaking and “teeth-chattering” chills. (you may have this only one time or many times)

www.righthealth.com/topic/pneumonia
www.webmd.com

Chickenpox is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. It is most common in children, but most people will get chickenpox at some point in their lives if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox usually isn’t serious in healthy children. But it can cause problems for pregnant women, newborns, teens and adults, and people who have immune system problems that make it hard for the body to fight infection. After you have had chickenpox, you are not likely to get it again. But the virus stays in your body long after you get over the illness. If the virus becomes active again, it can cause a painful viral infection called Shingles.

Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It can spread easily. You can get if from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2-3 days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over. You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have not had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk is even higher because of the close contact.

• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Chickenpox blisters

It usually takes 14-16 days to get the symptoms of chickenpox after you have been around someone with the virus (incubation period). After a chickenpox red spot appears, it usually takes about 1-2 days for the spot to go thru all its stages; this includes blistering, bursting, drying and crusting over. New red spots will appear every day for up to 5-7 days.

www.righthealth.com/topic/chickenpox
www.webmd.com

If you have any questions, please check our FAQs.
If you would prefer to speak with an Access Biologicals Donor Representative, please call us at: 800.510.4003 option #2.