Toxoplasmosis
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I keep hearing that I should not change my cat's litter box because I could get toxoplasmosis. What is it? Why doesn't anyone caution you against it when you are not pregnant?
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 (5 Answers) |
Sunday 21st of February 2010 04:17:21 PM
good question?I was wondering about this one when i was pregnant, why everybody fears not to make this diseases but nobody can't prevent this, like a vaccine
The toxoplasmosis is a very dangerous diseases which has fatal effects but also some abnormalities on the babies.So it is better to stay away from cats when you are pregnant.
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Monday 1st of March 2010 02:33:07 AM
according to my information from net and all it is a disease which transfers through a parasite called texa(not exactly) whose main growth is in cat's stomach.thus it can transfer through cat's litter box.so better not to change it during pregnency.when we are not pregnent it does not have that much effect but it can cause serious diseases to an unborn child.
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Monday 1st of March 2010 04:32:01 PM
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can infect most warm blooded animals, including humans. The most common host is the household cat. The parasitic is passed from one host to another by eating infected meat, contact with fecal matter of a recently infected cat, or from mother to her unborn child. Cats are most often blamed for spreading the parasite, but contact with raw meat is responsible for most human infection.
Initially the infection can cause mild ;flu-like symptoms at all, in healthy adults. In pregnant women or individuals with compromised immune systems, toxoplasmosis can cause serious illness and is occasionally fatal. This parasite can affect the heart, liver and eyes, as well as encephalitis and neurologic diseases.
Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs when the fetus is infected via the placenta. If the pregnant woman has been exposed prior to the pregnancy, she will have antibodies that provide immunity and generally ensure the baby's safety.
If a woman's first exposure occurs during pregnancy, the baby is in serious danger.
You can have a blood test that will tell you whether or not you have been exposed. Pregnant women with no previous exposure should not handle raw meat, garden (cat feces is often found in soil, you also need to have someone else empty the litter box.
Treatment is usually recommended for individuals with serious health problems. The treatment that is usually prescribed for pregnant women to prevent infecting their unborn baby is called spiramyacin, which is an antibiotic that is safe for the fetus.
If you are concerned, contact your OB and have them do a blood test to see if you have been exposed to toxoplasmosis. If you have, chances are that your baby will be fine. If you haven't been exposed, avoid handling raw meat, have someone else to take care of the litter box, and put off planting a garden until after the baby is born. Godspeed
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Monday 1st of March 2010 02:00:51 AM
Toxoplasmosis is an parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii and commonly acquired from contact with cats and their feces or with raw or undercooked meat.When you are not pregnant your immunity shields you against toxo effects but when you are pregnant toxo can cause serious effects to the foetus
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Saturday 6th of March 2010 04:25:05 AM
It's just a simple logic. Pregnant women must at all times avoid direct contact with dirt and if and when you have to make the immediate and necessary disinfectant by thorough cleaning of your hands or whatever part of your body first touched it. Also, you probably have a low immune system that is why you get these kind of things easily.
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