From: jeffp@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu (Jeff Parke;S10000)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Toxoplasmosis
Date: 16 Apr 92 23:18:55 GMT
Organization: Washington State University

In article <1992Apr16.124612.12199@ssd.kodak.com> young@sasquatch.serum.kodak.com (Rich Young (x37176)) writes:
>In article <19516@suned1.Nswses.Navy.MIL> laura@TASVAX.NSWSES.NAVY.MIL writes:
>
>>I am 5 months pregnant, and my husband and I want to get a kitten.  One
>>man has offered us (for free) a calico cat that was born about six weeks
>>ago in his hay stack.  I already have complications with the pregnancy.
>>My placenta is right over my cervix (the doctor hopes this will correct
>>itself), and I have a nasty cervical strep infection that we have treated
>>4 times.  I may *still* have it - I'm getting another culture tomorrow.
>>
>>I intend to ask my doctor this same question, but if I take the kitten
>>directly to a vet, can the vet test the kitten for toxoplasmosis?  Also,
>>if we keep the kitten exclusively in the house, what are the chances of the
>>kitten contracting toxoplasmosis?  Also, what are the real dangers to
>>me and my child if the cat *does* have toxoplasmosis?
>>
>>Any advice or anecdotes?
>
>	Just in case you hadn't read it yet, the following is from the FAQ
>	list in rec.pets.cats (I merely present it, but I can't vouch for the
>	accuracy):
>
>  * Toxoplasmosis is transmitted by contact with the feces of an
>    infected cat. Although it is well-known that cats can transmit
>    toxoplasmosis, many do not know that humans are more commonly
>    infected by eating incompletely cooked meat.
>
>				-- and --
>
>	F.  Toxoplasmosis (when you are pregnant and own a cat).
>
>	Toxoplasmosis is a disease that can be picked up by handling
>	contaminated raw meat, or the feces produced after ingestion of such
>	meat.  This means you can catch it by cleaning the litter box, or by
>	working in a garden used as a litter box.  Most commonly, people catch
>	it by handling raw meat or eating undercooked meat.  Most cat-exposed
>	people have had toxoplasmosis; the symptoms are similar to a mild
>	cold.  (Nomenclature: Toxoplasma gondii is the organism, toxoplasmosis
>	the disease, and Toxoplasma is a protozoan.)
>
>	The problem occurs when pregnant women contract toxoplasmosis.  This
>	will severely damage the fetus.  Simple precautions will prevent this
>	problem; unfortunately many doctors still recommend getting rid of
>	cats when the woman is pregnant.  A good idea is to get tested for
>	toxoplasmosis *before* you get pregnant; once you've had it, you will
>	not get it again.
>
>	To prevent human contraction of toxoplasmosis:
>
>	  a) Cook any meat for you or your cat thoroughly.
>	  b) Use care when handling raw meat.
>	  c) Wear houshold gloves when handling litter.
>	  d) Use disinfectant to clean the litter pan and surrounding area.
>	  e) Keep children's sandpits covered when not in use.
>	  f) Wear gardening gloves when working in the garden.
>	    
>	Better yet, the litterbox and meat-chopping chores should go to
>	someone else if you're pregnant.
>
>I hope this helps.

All good information.  In addition, I believe there are periods during
pregnancy when transplacental toxoplasmosis holds more
danger to the fetus than others.  Your physician should be able to council
you on this.  Also, do you know if you have had toxoplasmosis already?
A lot of us have and never noticed it.  Risk of contracting it a second
time is much lower if one's titer is checked and found to be high.  Again,
consult your physician.

Why not just wait 4 months?  You'll be so busy you'll forget about wanting
a new cat!
----
jeffp@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu ...uunet!wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu!jeffp
98127809@WSUVM1.bitnet CIS: 71511,1512  AOL: JeffParke
a.k.a. Jeff Parke,  Washington State University College of Vet. Medicine