If you are pregnant, you may have heard of toxoplasmosis. Even if you haven’t heard the name, you may have heard that pregnant women shouldn’t change the cat litter. Ten years ago, when I was pregnant with our first baby, my husband took over the cat litter duties. I’m happy to report that ten years, four children and two cats later, he still does it!
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite. The parasite is present in cat feces. If you come in contact with the parasite, either when changing the litter box or working outside in the garden, you can contract toxoplasmosis.
If you have a cat, don’t panic. Some people throw fluffy out the door for fear of hurting the baby. This is a drastic step that is usually not necessary. Toxoplasmosis infection is relatively rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 10,000 babies each year are infected in utero.
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of coming in contact with toxoplasmosis. Staying away from the litter box is one important precaution. Cats catch it from other cats. If you have one cat and it never goes outside, your risk factor is relatively low. Keep your cat indoors and away from other cats to reduce your risk.
Cats aren’t the only potential source of infection. Other animals can become infected by the parasite. Foods such as raw and uncooked meats are a potential source of toxoplasmosis. Eating very rare beef during pregnancy is a risk factor. Be sure all meat is well done until the baby is born.
Symptoms are similar to the flu. If a pregnant woman does contract toxoplasmosis, the effects on the baby vary. Some babies are born with no sign of disease. Others suffer from brain damage or blindness. There is a bit of good news. If you were exposed to the parasite more than six months before the baby was conceived, you would have immunity and so would the baby.
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