There are practical ways you can avoid infection. If a woman becomes infected with Toxoplasma for the first time while she is pregnant, her unborn baby may also be infected. Infection of a baby while in utero may result in damage to the baby’s brain, eyes, ears, or in the baby’s death. Infection is acquired mainly by eating foods or handling material such as sand in a sandbox or garden soil contaminated with cat feces or from eating undercooked meats that contain Toxoplasma.
If you are acutely infected with Toxoplasma while you are pregnant, although you may have symptoms or signs such as a flu-like illness or enlarged lymph nodes, chances are your infection will be so mild that you may never realize you have been infected. While you feel fine, your unborn child is at risk of acquiring the disease from you and the results can be tragic.
Nearly 9 out of 10 pregnant women in the United States are at risk of being infected with Toxoplasmaduringpregnancy. Theother10%areimmuneduetoinfectionacquiredbeforethe pregnancy. To know whether you are immune your doctor must have your blood test for antibody to Toxoplasma.
Every woman should know if her unborn child is protected against Toxoplasma. If you are tested by your doctor and are found to be non-immune, you should be sure to follow the precautions listed below:
- Avoid contact with material potentially contaminated with cat excrement. Have someone else dispose of the contents of your cat’s litterbox and have them clean the litterbox immediately with boiling water. Avoid sandboxes where cats have access, and cover them to prevent their utilizing a sandbox as a litterbox. Do not feed your cat raw meat.
- Eat meat only when it is cooked to “well done”. For example, do not eat meat tartare or “rare” meat.
- Wash your hands after handling bloody (raw) meat and before eating. Keep your hands away from your eyes while preparing uncooked meat. Wear gloves while gardening.
- Wash food such as green salads and fruits, especially if it is to be eaten uncooked. Follow your blood antibody test for Toxoplasma in conjunction with your doctor. If acute infection occurs, detection and treatment can protect your baby.