Introduction
When a woman becomes pregnant, she is often advised to avoid certain foods or activities that may pose risks to the developing fetus. One common piece of advice given to expecting mothers is to avoid handling or touching cats, due to potential exposure to a disease called toxoplasmosis.
This article will explore the risks of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, where the disease comes from, how cats are involved in transmitting it, precautions pregnant women can take to avoid infection, ways to safely interact with cats while pregnant, testing and treatment options if exposed, and guidelines for after giving birth. The goal is to provide expectant mothers comprehensive information on toxoplasmosis and cats so they can make informed decisions to keep themselves and their babies healthy.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. This parasite is found in cat feces and contaminated food or water. Toxoplasmosis spreads through ingesting the parasite from:[1]
– Ingesting contaminated raw or undercooked meat that contains Toxoplasma.
– Accidentally ingesting contaminated soil or water.
– Touching your hands to your mouth after gardening, cleaning a litter box, or touching anything that could be contaminated with cat feces.
Once ingested, the parasite begins reproducing in the intestines. It can then spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Toxoplasmosis Risks
Toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy can lead to serious health risks for both the pregnant woman and the fetus. According to the CDC, toxoplasmosis infection is most serious when a woman is newly infected during pregnancy. Congenital toxoplasmosis, which occurs when the parasite is passed from mother to fetus, can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects or other problems that develop after birth (CDC).
Specifically, congenital toxoplasmosis infection may result in damage to the fetus’ brain, eyes, and other organs that continues to develop throughout infancy and childhood. Most infected infants do not have symptoms at birth but can develop serious symptoms later in life, such as blindness, mental disability, and seizures (CDC). The NHS notes that the earlier in pregnancy a woman gets infected, the more serious the complications may be for the baby after birth, potentially including liver damage (NHS).
Cats and Toxoplasmosis
Cats can spread toxoplasmosis by shedding Toxoplasma gondii parasites in their feces. The parasite needs 1-5 days after being shed to become infectious (according to VCA Animal Hospitals). An infected cat sheds the parasite for 1-3 weeks in its feces after initial exposure (according to the CDC). During this time, the parasites can spread to humans if accidentally ingested, such as through contaminated soil, food, or water. Cats get infected by eating infected prey like rodents, then shedding the parasite in their feces. Indoor cats can also get infected if exposed to feces from an infected cat that got outside, or if fed raw meat that contains the parasite.
Toxoplasmosis cannot be spread through saliva, so activities like petting or being licked by a cat do not spread the parasite (according to the Cornell Feline Health Center). The main risk is ingesting anything contaminated with infected feces. This highlights the importance of cleaning the litter box daily, washing hands afterwards, and keeping cats indoors to avoid hunting and potential exposure.
Precautions
Even though the risk of toxoplasmosis from indoor cats is low, there are some precautions pregnant women can take when around cats to reduce the risk even further:
- Have someone else change the litter box daily. If that’s not possible, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards (CDC).
- Keep cats indoors and supervise them when outside to prevent hunting and eating raw meat (ACOG).
- Feed cats only commercial cat food – avoid raw meat diets (KidsHealth).
- Keep cats away from sandbox play areas to prevent defecation.
- Avoid cat scratches and bites.
- Wash hands thoroughly after touching cats.
- Don’t allow cats in areas where food is prepared.
Taking precautions allows pregnant women to safely keep and interact with cats while minimizing the already low risk of toxoplasmosis.
Safe Interactions
There are several precautions pregnant women can take to safely interact with cats during pregnancy:
- Avoid changing the litter box and have someone else do it instead. If you must clean the litter box, wear gloves and a mask to avoid ingesting or inhaling toxoplasma particles (source).
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after petting or touching cats, cleaning litter boxes, or gardening. This helps prevent toxoplasmosis transmission if you happen to come in contact with infected feces (source).
- Keep cats indoors and feed them commercial cat food instead of raw meat. This reduces their risk of ingesting toxoplasma parasites from prey or raw meat (source).
- Avoid close contact with stray cats or kittens with an unknown health history. Stray cats are more likely to carry toxoplasmosis (source).
With some basic precautions, most pregnant women can continue enjoying their family cat’s company without risk.
Testing
Pregnant women can get tested for toxoplasmosis through a blood test. This blood test looks for Toxoplasma antibodies and can determine if a woman has been previously exposed to the parasite or if she has a current infection.
There are two key antibodies tested:
- IgM antibodies – These indicate an active, acute infection. A positive IgM means the woman likely contracted toxoplasmosis recently.
- IgG antibodies – These signal a past infection. A positive IgG means the woman was infected in the past but does not have an active infection currently.
If a pregnant woman tests positive for IgM antibodies, further testing will be done to confirm an active infection, such as an amniocentesis to test the amniotic fluid. If there is evidence of an acute infection, the fetus will be monitored closely through ultrasounds and other tests (Source).
Women who test positive for IgG antibodies but negative for IgM are considered immune and not at risk of transmitting toxoplasmosis to their baby. However, repeat testing may be done to confirm IgG levels remain stable.
In some cases, newborns will also be tested for toxoplasmosis through a blood or spinal fluid sample if congenital toxoplasmosis is suspected.
Treatment
If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with an active toxoplasmosis infection, prompt treatment is recommended to help reduce the risk of transmission to the fetus. The main goals of treatment are to eliminate the parasite from the body and treat any symptoms. Some common medications used to treat toxoplasmosis in pregnancy include:
Spiramycin – An antibiotic often used in early pregnancy (before 18 weeks gestation) that can help prevent transmission of the parasite to the fetus by concentrating in the placenta.
Pyrimethamine combined with sulfadiazine – Used after 18 weeks of pregnancy, this antibiotic regimen helps treat active infections in the mother by eliminating tachyzoites.
If an infection is diagnosed later in pregnancy, spiramycin may be combined with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine for a more aggressive treatment approach. Additional medications like atovaquone or azithromycin may also be used. The duration of treatment depends on the stage of pregnancy and severity of infection.
In some cases, medications may continue for the remainder of the pregnancy to suppress the infection. It’s important for pregnant women to take medications exactly as prescribed and follow up with their healthcare provider to monitor infection status.
After Pregnancy
Once the baby is born, the risks of toxoplasmosis infection are significantly reduced. However, it is still important to follow basic hygiene practices when interacting with cats after pregnancy.
Wear gloves when cleaning the litter box and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid allowing cats to lick open wounds or scratches. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and cook meat to safe temperatures to kill any parasites.
Newborns and infants can still be at risk for severe infection. Wait until the baby is at least 1 year old before allowing them to interact with cats. Supervise all interactions and make sure they wash hands after touching animals.
Breastfeeding can help pass antibodies to the baby to provide some protection against toxoplasmosis. Talk to your doctor about testing baby after birth to see if they were exposed during pregnancy. Treatment with antibiotics is very effective in newborns.
While risks are lower after pregnancy, continue following the basic precautions. This protects both mom’s and baby’s health when enjoying time with feline friends.
Key Takeaways
Pregnant women need to be aware of the risk of toxoplasmosis infection from cats. Toxoplasmosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems for the baby. However, with proper precautions, pregnant women can safely interact with cats.
The key precautions include:
- Avoid touching cat litter boxes and have someone else change the litter daily. If no one else can do it, wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
- Keep cats indoors and feed them commercial cat food instead of raw meat which may contain the toxoplasmosis parasite.
- Wash hands after touching cats, cleaning cat beds, or gardening areas cats may have used as a litter box.
- Avoid feeding cats uncooked meat or handling raw meat for your own meals.
- Have cats tested for toxoplasmosis if their status is unknown.
With proper precautions, activities like petting cats and holding them on your lap are safe. Testing and prompt treatment if infected can help reduce risks. After pregnancy, standard hygiene around cats is sufficient to avoid toxoplasmosis infection.