Toxoplasmosis and Pregnant Women
Toxoplasmosis gondii is a parasite that is carried by cats. Sometimes cats that are weak or sick will show symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy from the parasite. Occasionally the T. gondii parasite will infect the cat’s lungs, where it could cause pneumonia or respiratory distress. Other times it infects the eye, where it can cause eye problems or blindness. More often, however, the cat will not show any symptoms; they are simply a carrier.
Unlike many diseases and parasites that occur in cats, T. gondii can be spread to other species. This parasite is often found to cause damage to sea otter populations. It is also a threat to weak or sick animals of other species, and to humans with a weak immune system.
Risk of Toxoplasmosis to Unborn Babies
In humans, T. gondii is a danger especially to pregnant women and their unborn babies. If a pregnant woman comes in contact with T. gondii, her unborn baby can contract toxoplasmosis from her. In newborn babies, toxoplasmosis can cause loss of vision, loss of hearing, mental retardation, and sometimes death.
Prevention
Since infected cats don’t usually show symptoms, expecting women are encouraged to take precautions when dealing with their cats. Cleaning cat litter boxes should be left to the husband or someone else, as the parasite is spread through the feces. If it is not possible to avoid cleaning the litter box, a pregnant woman should wear disposable gloves and avoid coming in contact with the feces.
Stray cats also carry this parasite and should be avoided by expecting mothers and those with compromised immune systems. Remember, stray cats like to use sandboxes for their litter box, so special care should be taken to cover sand boxes to avoid contamination from neighborhood cats.
Other Sources of T. gondii
T. gondii is also found in other areas, such as soil, raw or undercooked meat, and unwashed fruits and vegetables. To avoid contracting the parasite, gloves should be worn for any gardening or digging in the soil, meat should be cooked fully, and fruits and vegetables cleaned completely.
