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Toxoplasmosis
August 2, 2007
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According to the Center for Disease Control, about 60 million Americans could have
an infection called Toxoplasmosis and not even know it.
Toxoplasmosis may not be a familiar term but is an infection that a pregnant woman
can pass on to her unborn baby. Ob-Gyn Lawrence Antonucci says, “It’s more common
to pass the infection on to your fetus if the infection occurs later in the pregnancy,
but it’s actually more serious if it’s encountered early in the pregnancy.”
Dr. Antonucci explains that the infection can come from certain foods such as infected
raw meats and can also be spread to humans from animal parasites . pregnant women
are even advised to beware of their cat’s litter box. “The parasite is found in
actually the fecal droppings of animals, predominantly cats. It’s really critical
that if you’re pregnant and you have a cat that you don’t handle the litter.”
Dr. Antonucci also says that a Toxoplasmosis infection can cause irreversible harm
to an unborn baby, including a wide range of disabilities. “Hearing loss, sight
loss, mental retardation.
This is a very significant cause of birth abnormalities.”
Unless you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, there is usually no need
for treatment and the infection will go away on its own after a few weeks.
Although this infection is usually symptom-less, swollen glands can be an indication
to seek medical attention.
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