Knowing About Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy
This is a very common parasitic infection generally caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Represents danger only when it is acquired during pregnancy or in immunosuppressed people, affected by diseases that lower their defenses against infection.
When it affects a pregnant woman, may endanger the health of your baby.
Over 80 to 90% of primary infections are symptomatic. The incubation period for symptoms is about one to two weeks. Usually, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis are similar to influenza or infectious mononucleosis; characterized by fatigue, muscle aches, fever and swollen glands.
The infection usually occur only once in a lifetime, leaving the person immune for the rest of his life. However, the parasite stays in the body indefinitely, though dormant and not causes damage.
As it spreads and how it is acquired toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma infection can occur after eating raw or undercooked meat containing the parasite or by exposure to a cat, or even contaminated soil. It can also be transmitted by raw goat’s milk and through insects such as flies and cockroaches that may have been in contact with contaminated material as is the case of cat feces.
Cats usually become infected by eating an infected rodent or bird. The parasite reproduces in the intestines of the cat and the parasite stage ends in the box, sand or soil where the cat rejects their droppings. This stage becomes infectious within 24 hours and resistant to most disinfectants. The parasite is able to live on earth for over a year under certain conditions of temperature and humidity. Infected cats have a healthy appearance.
