Toxoplasmosis
is a disease carried by cats that can
cause birth defects in humans. Pregnant
women should be aware of this disease. If
acquired during pregnancy it can not only
cause birth defects, but also spontaneous
abortions or even stillbirth.
Toxoplasmosis is relatively common and is
caused by a single celled parasite called
toxoplasma gondii. Most people who get
toxoplasmosis have few symptoms or none at
all. Others may have swollen glands,
fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, rash, low
fever, headache, or sore throat. The
common household cat is the only animal
known to shed toxoplasma parasites in her feces. If your cat is infected, you could
get toxoplasmosis from the feces in the
litter box or the garden. Toxoplasmosis
can be avoided. Keep you cat free of the
infection by feeding her only commercial
cat food or well-cooked meat. Keep her indoors so that
she cannot hunt or eat mice
and birds. Change the cat litter daily. If
possible, someone other than the expectant
|
mother should do this. Another way of
getting toxoplasmosis is by eating raw or
undercooked meat. Cook all meat and
poultry thoroughly. Wash or cook homegrown
vegetables that may have come in contact
with cat feces in the garden. Wash your
hands after touching raw meat, changing
the cat litter, or working in the gardens
that cats have access to. |
|
|
Toxoplasmosis
(TOX-o-plaz-MO-sis)
|
|
|
Go
to: Page
2 For more detailed information
from the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.
For further information, here are some
sites to visit :
Center
for the Evaluation of Risks to Human
Reproduction (CERHR)
http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/common/toxoplasmosis.html
CDC
Division of Parasite Disease
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
Kids
Health Nemours Foundation
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/parasitic/toxoplasmosis.html
Contacts
for additional information
March
of Dimes Resource Center
Your source of information on pregnancy
and birth defects.
Toll-free:
888-MODIMES
TTY: 914-997-4764
Fax: 914-997-4763
URL:
http://www.marchofdimes.com
E-mail:
mailto:resourcecenter@modimes.org |
