1) Handling or consuming undercooked or raw meat, most commonly pork. This is actually the most common cause of infection in North America.

2) Drinking raw milk.

3) Consuming unwashed fruits or veggies.

4) Eating raw oysters or mussels.

5) Gardening – Believe it or not infectious oocysts are often found in soil.

6) Transmission from mom to baby during pregnancy.

Being “infected” with Toxoplasmosis is actually fairly common and our immune system generally suppresses the parasite. Infection and disease are different. Symptoms of the disease are flu-like in nature. Mild aches and pains, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes are common. Normally these will pass in a short period of time and antibiotics are not necessary. In immunocompromised people however, this disease can cause serious illness.