Toxoplasmosis is a common infection. When a pregnant woman gets the infection, it can pose serious risks to her unborn baby. Between 400 and 4,000 babies in the United States are born with toxoplasmosis each year.
Babies born with toxoplasmosis often develop eye infections, an enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and pneumonia. Sadly, some die within a few days of birth. Some are severely mentally retarded, have severe vision loss, cerebral palsy, seizures and other problems.
What you can do:
There are simple steps you can take to avoid toxoplasmosis infection:
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb or pork.
- Wash your hands immediately with soap and water after handling raw meat.
- Clean cutting boards, work surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat or unwashed fruit or vegetables.
- Peel or thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Don't empty or clean the cat's litter box. Let someone else do this.
- Don't feed the cat raw or undercooked meat.
- Keep the cat indoors.
- Wear gloves while gardening.
- Avoid children’s sandboxes. Cats may use them as litter boxes.
September 2005
