Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women

It is believed that toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease, the causative agent of which is the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma. For a person with a healthy immune system, this disease is mild and asymptomatic, but toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is quite dangerous, since a microscopic intracellular parasite can affect the placenta and the baby. The main sources of infection are cats, as well as poorly washed fruits and vegetables, insufficiently boiled or roasted meat of animals or birds that are infected with the parasite.

It should be noted that animals in which the organism has this pathogen can infect a person through saliva, urine, tear fluid, although fortunately Toksoplazma in this form quickly dies and does little harm to the living organism. But the causative agent, which is excreted together with the excrement of cats, lives in the environment for about one and a half years and causes a rather big danger, getting into the human body. Most mothers, having learned that they are in position, try to get rid of their pets, give them to relatives, neighbors, friends or are expelled to the street. Certainly, toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is a serious enough disease, which should be treated with all responsibility, listen to the doctor's recommendations, but it is not necessary to get rid of your pets at all.

According to the research it was proved that if animals live in the house for more than five years, then almost every owner of this house has immunity to Toxoplasma. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to observe the so-called safety rules in order not to cause toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to thoroughly wash your hands after the street, to boil and boil the meat well, to wash fruits and vegetables. During the preparation of meat, poultry and fish, it is best to use gloves because of the possible presence of wounds or scratches on the hands, and in no case do not bring your hands to your mouth. If you spend time in the garden, picking in the ground, you should also wear gloves. In no case during pregnancy do not start cats, try not to play with them, do not let them through the dinner table, instruct cleaning for their toilet to another member of the family, and if there is no one, then save your gloves.

How do you know if there is a parasite in your body? In this case, all doctors offer to pass an analysis for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy, because a woman with strong immunity does not even suspect about its presence, although the main symptoms are enlarged lymph nodes, joint pain, uncaused fatigue, the presence of sore throat, headache. Therefore, in any case, it is necessary to pass a blood test, with which you can detect toxoplasmosis.

In pregnancy, treatment can only be prescribed by your doctor, do not try to cope with it on your own. You will have to undergo a number of additional ultrasound examinations and, if necessary, will be prescribed special antibiotics that will lower the level of the possibility of transmission of this infection to the child, will examine the amniotic fluid, and if infected, the directions to genetics will be written out. It is the specialist together with you who will decide on the future future of the baby.

I would also like to note that toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is very dangerous, therefore, before making a decision about abortion, it is best to go through additional studies in order to once again check the presence of this pathogen in the body, for this, a puncture of the umbilical canal is performed. After giving birth to a child whose mother was infected, very carefully examined, especially pay great attention to the advice of an oculist and neurologist.