This is an opportunistic parasitic infection that causes illness in persons with severely damaged immune systems. This infection does not cause illness in persons with fully functioning immune systems. It is not the cat itself that transmits Toxoplasmosis. Rather, it is exposure to the feces of the cat that poses a risk. Therefore, anybody with a damaged immune system should not be changing cat litter boxes.
Toxoplasmosis can also cause birth defects to the unborn child.
In both of these situations, it is best if another member of the household changes the litter box. If a member of a household is pregnant or immunosupressed, a veterinarian can test the cat to see if it has Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, if a person with a damaged immune system gets scratched or bitten by a cat, and subsequently develops malaise, swollen lymph glands, or fever, they should see their physician as soon as possible. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.