What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and can threaten the life of your unborn baby. You can get the infection by contact with cat litter or soil containing parasite-infected cat feces. You can also get the infection by consuming undercooked meat infected with the parasite or uncooked food that has come into contact with raw meat. If you've had a toxoplasma infection before, you probably won't have it again.
What are the symptoms of toxoplasma?
Since toxoplasma does not cause symptoms in most people, it is difficult to know whether you are infected. Its symptoms are generally similar to a cold, and may cause fever and swollen lymph nodes.
If I had toxoplasma before pregnancy, does it pose a risk to the unborn baby?
Rare exceptions. Except, if you had the infection at least 6-9 months before pregnancy, immunity to Toxoplasma will develop and it will not be transmitted to your baby.
What will happen to my baby if I contract Toxoplasma during pregnancy?
Toxoplasma In approximately half of pregnant women with infection, the infection can be transmitted to the baby through the placenta. An infection that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy is less likely to be transmitted to the baby than one that occurs later in pregnancy. However, early infection is usually more serious than late infection.
Many babies infected in the womb do not show any symptoms of toxoplasmosis when they are born, but many of them develop learning, vision and hearing difficulties in later life.
How can I find out if my baby is infected?
If you have been infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, there are methods that can show whether your baby is infected:
- Amniotic fluid or the baby's in the womb blood can be tested for infection.
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1/3 of infected babies have problems that can be seen with ultrasound.
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The baby's blood can be tested after birth.
Can toxoplasma be treated during pregnancy?
Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy can be treated with antibiotics. The earlier the infection is diagnosed and treated, the The less likely it is to pass. If the baby is infected, the severity of the disease can be reduced with treatment. It can also be treated after the baby is born.
How can I be protected against toxoplasma infection?
Recommendations of the CDC (US Center for Disease Control and Prevention):
- Cook the food thoroughly until the appropriate temperature (73 degrees) and the meat is no longer pink.
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Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly with plenty of water before eating. Wash your hands and kitchen utensils such as cutting boards that will come into contact with raw food thoroughly with soap and water.
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If you are going to garden, handle soil or sand, wear gloves because it may contain infected cat feces.
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If you have a cat, avoid contact with cat litter. If you are going to change, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Change its litter every day, keep your cat indoors, avoid contact with stray cats. Do not feed your cat raw or undercooked meat.
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