Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that is caused due to the presence of a parasite called 'Toxoplasma gondii' in the body. This parasite is usually found in a cat's intestine, where it reproduces rapidly and is passed out in its excreta. Humans who have a cat at home are at a high risk of contracting this disease. Human beings affected by toxoplasmosis rarely show any symptoms and usually do not even have any health problems. However, when a pregnant woman contracts this infection, it can be dangerous to the health of the unborn baby.

It is commonly believed the cats are the only source from where humans can get infected by toxoplasmosis. However, this is not true. Cats usually get this infection from soil containing 'Toxoplasma gondii' bacteria. When a cat has toxoplasmosis, it throws out the bacteria while littering. Individuals who change the litter trays are at a high risk of getting infected by it. An individual who does gardening can also get contracted with the infection, while dealing with soil that contains this bacteria. It can also be present in certain meat products, and a person can get infected by it when he eats the meat raw or without cooking it properly. Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted by drinking unpasteurized milk, especially that of goats who are also the carriers of the bacteria responsible for toxoplasmosis.

Any living being once affected by toxoplasmosis will not contract it again. If a woman has had the infection 6-9 months before getting pregnant, then she would be safe and not contract it again during pregnancy. The time when the woman gets infected by toxoplasmosis during pregnancy determines the severity of its effects on her child. If the woman gets infected in the first trimester of her pregnancy, there is only 0-15% chance of he baby getting infected. However, if she gets it while in her second or third trimester, the chances of passing the infection to the baby rises to 70-80%.

It has been recorded that when a pregnant woman has toxoplasmosis, there is a high risk of having a miscarriage or the baby being still born. Babies born with toxoplasmosis are reported to have severe brain damage and this condition is called congenital toxoplasmosis. It is likely that they are born with defects like visual impairment or blindness, hearing loss and even mental retardation. Some of the symptoms that can be observed are jaundice, low birth weight, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, enlarged liver and spleen, etc.

As normally, toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic, it would be beneficial if every pregnant woman goes through certain tests to determine whether she or her baby is infected. If a pregnant woman has this infection, the physician may prescribe some antibiotics so as to prevent the child from getting affected. If the baby is born with toxoplasmosis, he or she may be treated with antibiotics for a year. However, it has rarely been found that after the baby is born, the damage before birth can be rectified though treatment and medications.

As there is no proper treatment that can cure toxoplasmosis in an infected child, it is necessary that a pregnant woman takes some precautions, so as not to get infected by the bacteria. It is not necessary that one should give away a pet cat during pregnancy, as it is not the only source of toxoplasmosis. However, one should avoid cleaning its litter box and instead ask someone else in the family to do so everyday. It takes more than 24 hours for the bacteria to become active. It is necessary to wear gloves and wash the hands thoroughly after cleaning the litter. Meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating, and also while feeding the cat. Fruits and vegetables also need to be washed well before eating because they may also contain toxoplasmosis bacteria.

Pregnancy is a crucial time for every woman, where even a small wrong step can have hazardous consequences to the health of the unborn child. Taking extra care and following these precautions will surely ensure that the baby is safe from toxoplasmosis.