Do you have a cat in your home? Or are you currently pregnant ? Then you have probably heard of this infection called toxoplasmosis. Some people get a little scared when they hear this name, especially if they have a cat at home. But when we know exactly what it is, how it is transmitted, who is most at risk, and how we can protect ourselves, we don't need to be unnecessarily afraid. Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.
Simply put, what is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a very small, invisible parasite called Toxoplasma gondii . It is usually found in the intestines of certain animals, such as cats and pigs.
When this infection enters our body, it can cause cysts to form in our body, especially in the brain and muscles, including the heart. But the good news is that if your immune system is healthy and strong, you are very unlikely to have any problems with this infection. You may not even know you have this infection.
However, if someone's immune system is weakened, for example, people with HIV, cancer patients, or those undergoing cancer treatment, this can cause problems. Also, if a pregnant mother gets this infection, it can also be passed on to her baby in the womb. If that happens, the baby's brain or eyes may be damaged. That's why we need to be especially careful about this.
What could be the symptoms of this infection?
The symptoms of this infection can vary from person to person. Let's see how that works.
| Affected group | Visible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Children and babies in the womb | If the mother is infected near or during pregnancy, some early infections can result in miscarriage or stillbirth. If the baby survives, the following serious problems may occur: - Seizures - Enlarged liver or spleen - Jaundice - Serious eye infections Often, symptoms are not present at birth, but later in life, hearing loss, mental disorders, or eye infections may develop. |
| Healthy adults and young children | You may often feel like you have a fever. - Headache - Body pain - Fever - Extreme fatigue |
| People with weak immunity | These people may experience more serious symptoms. - Confusion - Loss of balance - Seizures - Difficulty breathing - Blurred vision |
Well, how does this get into our bodies?
There are several ways this parasite can enter our bodies. Being aware of these is the best way to protect yourself.
- Through cat feces : When cleaning a litter box containing feces from an infected cat or touching anything that has been contaminated with that feces.
- Through soil: When gardening, this parasite can be present in the soil. If you touch that soil and put your hands in your mouth without washing them properly.
- By drinking impure water.
- Eating undercooked meat: Especially if you eat things like lamb, pork , or venison raw or undercooked.
- From equipment that has been used to cut raw meat: If you use a cutting board or knife that has been used to cut raw meat without thoroughly washing it.
- Eating fruits and vegetables without washing them thoroughly.
- Very rarely, it can also be transmitted through organ transplants or blood transfusions.
How to diagnose the disease?
If you have these symptoms, are expecting a baby, or have a medical condition that weakens your immune system, be sure to see your doctor and talk about this.
The first thing the doctor does is do a blood test. When we get this infection, our body makes something called antibodies to fight it. The blood test checks to see if these antibodies are present in your blood.
Sometimes, if you test your blood right after the infection, these antibodies may not have formed. So, even if the first test says no, your doctor may ask you to do another test a few weeks later.
If antibodies are confirmed in the blood, more specific tests can be done to determine exactly when the infection occurred.
If someone has a serious brain condition, such as encephalitis, they may need to have things like an MRI scan to check for brain cysts.
What if you get infected during pregnancy?
If you find out you have this infection during pregnancy, your doctor will next check to see if it has spread to your baby. This may include tests such as:
- Ultrasound Scan: This can be used to see things like whether there is fluid buildup in the baby's body, especially around the brain.
- Amniocentesis: In this test, the doctor uses a long, thin needle to remove a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. This can be tested to see if the baby has an infection. This test is done after the pregnancy is at least 15 weeks.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on your health condition.
- For healthy people: Since their immune system is strong, no treatment is often needed.
- For those infected with HIV or who have a weakened immune system: The doctor may prescribe antibiotics and medications such as pyrimethamine, a drug used for malaria.
- A pregnant mother (if there is no effect on the baby): The antibiotic spiramycin can be given.
- If the baby is also infected: After 16 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may decide to give the mother another combination of drugs (sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine). The baby will be monitored very closely during this time.
What should we do to protect ourselves?
The best thing to do is to avoid this infection. There are many simple things we can do to prevent it.
Do these things to protect yourself in general
- Wear gloves when gardening or handling soil. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after work.
- If there is a sandbox at home where children play, keep it closed so that cats cannot get in.
- After preparing raw meat, wash hands, cutting boards, knives, and other utensils thoroughly with hot water and soap.
- Cook food thoroughly. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Make sure the water you drink is purified.
- Avoid consuming things like unpasteurized goat milk and raw eggs.
If you have a cat at home...
Having a cat in the house does not cause this disease. If you take proper care of your cat, you can greatly reduce the risk.
- Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, as this will reduce the chance of him contracting this parasite from outside.
- Make it a habit to keep cats away from food preparation areas (counters).
- Only feed your cat dry or canned cat food. Giving raw meat can lead to infection.
- Do not try to touch unfamiliar cats or kittens on the street.
- Clean the cat's litter box every day.
- Most importantly: Pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid cleaning the litter box altogether. Have a healthy person in the house do it.
- Wear gloves when cleaning the litter box. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap when you're done.
Take-Home Message
- Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite. It usually does not cause any harm to people with a healthy immune system.
- Pregnant women (and their unborn babies) and those with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV, cancer patients) are at greatest risk.
- The best way to stay safe is to cook meat thoroughly, wash fruits and vegetables, and wash your hands thoroughly after gardening.
- If you are pregnant, avoid touching cat feces or cleaning the litter box altogether.
- If you have any doubts, symptoms, or if you belong to a risk group, do not be unnecessarily afraid , talk to your doctor and get the right advice.
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