Toxoplasmosis worries

[Kaykeyworth]

im 16 weeks pregnant and Im very scared of getting toxoplasmosis from my boyfriends cat. We dont live together at the moment and he doesnt have a vehicle,so i visit him often. And im so paranoid about his cat getting me sick i dont want to go over there. does anybody have some comforting information on this? Because im freaking out. This is my first pregnancy and i dont want to lose my baby :( . Please help.

[Kaykeyworth]

Thank you everyone. I feel a bit better now :)

[mrsrobinson08]

Actually toxo from cat feces so as long as you don't handle it directly or wash your hands or wear gloves if you do. People are way more likely to get it from undercooked meat. So don't stress about it.

[pecosa521]

I work around cats all day, at my job we see about 20 if not more cats a day, even feral cats & i handle most of then, doing exams, handle them as they wake up from anesthesia so I took the toxo blood test, they said since I've been around cats before then I'm fine to continue working around them, just wash ur hands often! So I think ur fine, but if ur that worried I'd take the blood test!

[sorenr]

I have a cat and have had her through all 3 pregnancies, I have never had any trouble. I try to avoid doing the litter, but when my partner is away for work then I have to. I have read though that I probably have immunity as ive had her so long...I have never yet actually met or heard a story of anyone affected by this (outside of pregnancy literature) so I think it is really one of these things that yes can be serious but is actually quite rare. Dont be worrying, very small chance you would be affected, especially if you dont do the litter box.

[parkersmommy]

From what I understand you should be good if you're not changing the litter box

[Jpenny6]

Experts estimate that about half of toxoplasmosis infections are caused by eating raw or undercooked infected meat, but you can also get the parasite by eating unwashed contaminated produce, drinking contaminated water, or handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or meat and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Toxoplasmosis can't be transmitted from person to person, with the exception of transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy or from an infected blood transfusion or organ transplant.  Thought id add this

[Jpenny6]

I was told by my ob that as long as you aren't cleaning the litter box you are safe.  Its spread through cat urine and fecal matter.  If you must clean out the box use gloves and scrub up really good after. Cats are really good about keeping themselves clean, just being around the cat wont hurt you or baby at all. :)

[breanna_d]

My understanding is that u can be tested to see if u have an immunity to it. If u have been taking care of cats pre-pregnancy u may have been exposed & already have gotten past it. Then u dont have to worry this time. Just tell your Dr that it's really stressing u out & u want to be tested.