Baby on Board: Beware of Taxoplasmosis

Pregnancy follow-up

Pregnancy & toxoplasmosis: be careful

As an expectant mother, you have a lot on your plate, and ensuring a healthy pregnancy is a top priority.

One often overlooked but crucial aspect is protecting yourself and your baby from toxoplasmosis, a potentially harmful infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite.

What is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, a single-celled organism that can infect humans and a variety of animals.

Cats are the primary hosts for this parasite, and they can shed Toxoplasma oocysts in their feces, contaminating the environment.

Transmission and Risk Factors

Ingestion: The most common way humans acquire toxoplasmosis is through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with Toxoplasma oocysts. This can happen when handling raw or undercooked meat, particularly pork, lamb, and venison, as well as from unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Handling Cat Litter: Direct contact with cat feces, such as when cleaning a litter box, can also transmit the parasite.
Gardening: Working with soil that may contain cat feces or coming into contact with contaminated gardening tools can pose a risk.

Risks to the Unborn Baby

If a pregnant woman becomes infected with Toxoplasma for the first time during pregnancy, the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby.

This condition is known as congenital toxoplasmosis, and its severity depends on the timing of infection during pregnancy.

Timing Matters: Early infections during the first trimester carry a higher risk of severe consequences for the baby, including neurological problems, vision impairment, hearing loss, and even stillbirth. Infections later in pregnancy may be less severe but can still cause complications.

Prevention is Key

Safe Food Handling: Cook meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) to kill any Toxoplasma parasites. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Hand Hygiene: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially after handling raw meat, gardening, or changing cat litter.
Keep Cats Indoors: Keeping cats indoors can prevent them from hunting and eating infected animals, reducing the likelihood of Toxoplasma infection.
Avoid Cat Feces: If you must handle cat litter, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Alternatively, have someone else change the cat litter during your pregnancy.

Testing and Monitoring

Routine testing for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may not be universally recommended, but it might be offered in certain regions or under specific circumstances.

If you develop symptoms or if there's a concern about potential exposure to Toxoplasma, your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing to detect and manage the infection.

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Hey everybody I’m new here !!! But not new with the babies on board unfortunately, this will be baby number #6 for me baby #5 passed away , in an etopic surgery….

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