Can a woman with toxoplasmosis have a baby?

Generally, if you were infected with Toxoplasma before becoming pregnant your unborn child is protected by your immunity. Some experts suggest waiting for 6 months after a recent infection to become pregnant.

How may a pregnant woman come into contact with toxoplasmosis?

Most cases of toxoplasmosis are from eating contaminated food. You can be infected by: eating raw or undercooked meat (meat showing any traces of pink or blood) eating cured meats like salami or Parma ham (this is ok if cooked)

Can toxoplasmosis be treated during pregnancy?

The Toxoplasma infection can be treated during pregnancy with antibiotic medication. The earlier the infection is identified and treated, the greater the chance of preventing infection of the unborn child. If the child has already been infected, treatment can make the disease less severe.

During which trimester of pregnancy infection with Toxoplasma gondii is more severe?

The risk of maternal transmission of the parasite to the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy (when the baby is most vulnerable) is relatively low, at 15 to 20 percent. However, by the third trimester, a pregnant woman with toxoplasmosis has a 60 percent chance of infecting her child.

Do you get tested for toxoplasmosis when pregnant?

Amniocentesis. In this procedure, which may be done safely after 15 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor uses a fine needle to remove a small amount of fluid from the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the fetus (amniotic sac). Tests are then performed on the fluid to check for evidence of toxoplasmosis.

What happens if you get Toxoplasma during pregnancy?

If you are newly infected with Toxoplasma while you are pregnant, or just before pregnancy, then you can pass the infection on to your baby. You may not have any symptoms from the infection. Most infected infants do not have symptoms at birth but can develop serious symptoms later in life, such as blindness or mental disability.

Can Toxoplasma gondii be transmitted through breast milk?

Among healthy women, the possibility of breast milk transmission of Toxoplasma infection is not likely. While Toxoplasma infection has been associated with infants who consumed unpasteurized goat’s milk, there are no studies documenting breast milk transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in humans.

When should I be concerned about toxoplasmosis?

When should I be concerned about toxoplasmosis? Generally, if you were infected with Toxoplasma before becoming pregnant your unborn child is protected by your immunity. Some experts suggest waiting for 6 months after a recent infection to become pregnant.

How can I reduce my risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma?

You should follow these helpful tips to reduce your risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma: Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Ensure that the cat litter box is changed daily.