Post by account_disabled on Mar 15, 2024 21:31:27 GMT -6
Toxoplasmosis is a disease that, except in pregnancy, does not usually entail health risks. If you are pregnant, have not had the disease and have a cat at home, you will only have to adopt a series of measures to prevent it. One thing must be kept in mind: the fact that we are pregnant does not mean that we cannot be in contact with cats . With some simple hygienic measures the risk of contracting the disease disappears. Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii . Once the infection occurs, our body begins to generate antibodies, which makes us immune to a new infection. This is why it is checked through a blood test whether pregnant women have had the disease to take precautions in case it has not been contracted before. We can also test our cat to rule out the presence of toxoplasmosis. Symptoms and contagion to the baby The disease is asymptomatic in most cases and usually occurs when eating raw or undercooked meat and sausages , drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with cat feces. Of course, only if the cat is infected can it transmit the disease. Some people have one or more of these symptoms: swollen glands, tiredness, muscle aches, malaise, and fever.
Symptoms can last for a month. In the event that a pregnant woman contracts the disease, there is a 30% chance that she will transmit toxoplasmosis to the fetus (the percentage increases the further along the pregnancy is). The consequences for the baby will be greater if it is contracted in the first trimester. It can cause low birth weight, malformations, eye damage or even abortion. Toxoplasmosis and cats The CZ Leads fear of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy causes many domestic cats to be abandoned. Most of these fears are unfounded, and there is no risk as long as some basic hygiene guidelines are followed. Carmen Sala Salmerón, specialist in women's quality of life at the Gine-3 Clinic in Barcelona, reports: “ Our cats only become infected with toxoplasmosis if they eat contaminated undercooked or raw meat ; and, if they were to become infected, after three weeks they would be immune, like us, and would no longer be able to infect us .
He also adds: “ Your domestic cat, which does not go outside or into the garden, well fed with feed and canned food, will hardly transmit toxoplasmosis to you; even more so if you collect their feces from the litter box before 24 hours have passed or, after doing so, better with gloves, we wash our hands with soap and water . You can see the full video here. toxoplasmosis cats pregnancy Tips to prevent toxoplasmosis During pregnancy, it is advisable that someone else be in charge of the litter box and clean it daily. If the pregnant woman is going to clean the cat litter, she should wear gloves and wash her hands after finishing. It is recommended to prevent the cat from going outside and feed it with food or canned meat that is cooked. Wash fruits and vegetables with water and a few drops of bleach Avoid undercooked meat and cured sausages during pregnancy. Properly clean kitchen utensils that have been in contact with meat (cutting boards, knives, trays, etc.) Wash your hands with soap and water after working the soil and wear gloves if you spend time gardening.