Toxoplasmosis affects pregnancy when the parasite passes from the mother to the fetus, which can cause some serious repercussions for the child. If you suspect that you have toxoplasmosis your doctor will first test your blood to identify if you have it. If you test positive, the doctor will then test the baby through an amniocentesis or by an ultrasound. If only you have the parasite, the doctor may prescribe spiramycin so that you do not pass the infection to your child. If your child has toxoplasmosis, the doctor will medicate the child after birth.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is a parasite that is carried by about one in five people in the United States. Most of the time, you dont even know that you are carrying this parasite, unless your immune system is weakened. If you do have symptoms, it will probably feel like a mild flu. However, in immunocompromised individuals the illness can become problematic. Brain damage can occur, as well as trouble with the eyes and other organs. During pregnancy, women are advised to avoid cat fecal matter, as a mother who first contracts the illness during pregnancy can spread it to her unborn baby, causing severe problems. You can also contract this illness from eating undercooked meat or receiving blood from an infected person. Whether you are pregnant or not, treatments exist for toxoplasmosis.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredIf you're pregnant, put your partner in charge of taking out the kitty litter. The litter of some cats can include a parasite that can lead to toxoplasmosis, a condition that can restrict the growth of the fetus. Your cat is the primary host for the toxo parasite and can shed egg cysts in its feces that survive for a long time. But don't worry—it's still okay to pet Mr. Whiskers. Just be sure to wash your hands very well in running water after doing so. If you don't have an alternative to changing the litter while pregnant, either wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Toxoplasmosis egg-cysts can survive for up to a year in soil, so wear gloves when gardening, as well.
The parasite can also infect raw food (via a fly that flits from the litter box to your hamburger meat). So wash and cook your food to a temp of 145 degrees for beef, lamb, steaks, and veal roasts, 160 degrees for pork, ground meat, and wild game, and 180 degrees for whole poultry. And cleaning all surfaces that have touched raw meat.
Toxoplasmosis causes flu-like symptoms with muscle aches, brain fog, and swollen glands. Toxo is only a threat to your baby if you're infected for the first time during pregnancy (you may have immunity to it if you've already been exposed). Your provider can do a simple blood test to check whether or not you have antibodies.