simple steps to prevent taxoplasmosis

Ana, a young mother, suffered a second miscarriage. Not wanting the next pregnancy to experience the same thing, Ana was advised to carry out a series of tests, including a blood serological test. From the results of the serological examination, the doctor concluded that Ana had Toxoplasmosis.

 

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the main host of this parasite. Toxoplasma will multiply in the cat's intestinal wall and produce oocysts that come out through cat feces. Within a few days the oocyst transforms into a form that is infectious for humans resistant to environmental conditions. Humans can get infections mainly through food contaminated with these feces. Women, especially women who are pregnant and children are groups that are susceptible to this toxoplasmosis.

 

Infection in adult humans often cannot be recognized early because most cases are asymptomatic or only cause mild symptoms such as low-grade fever. Infection in pregnant women can cause congenital infection in the fetus they contain, causing subclinical to severe symptoms in the form of hydrocephalus, visual disturbances (retinochoroiditis), hearing loss to mental retardation. Other symptoms include hydrocephalus, fever, jaundice (yellow), bruising/bleeding under the skin, anemia or enlarged spleen/liver.

Given the danger posed, especially to pregnant women and their fetuses, it is necessary to take steps to prevent transmission of toxoplasmosis. Some of these steps include, first, avoiding consuming raw or undercooked meat because this parasite can also infect other mammals besides humans. In addition, Toxoplasma will only die if it is heated to 700C for 15-30 minutes. Second, try to always wash the vegetables or fruit that will be consumed as well as knives and other kitchen utensils so that any dirt that may be attached can be removed.

The third step, make it a habit to wash your hands with soap before processing and consuming food. Washing hands with soap or disinfectants is beneficial for preventing the transmission of various diseases, including diarrhea, dysentery and also toxoplasmosis. The fourth step, as much as possible avoid boxes with soil which are often contaminated with cat feces or other animals. If contact cannot be avoided, protect your hands with gloves and make it a habit to wash your hands afterward. For pregnant women, avoid contact with cats, especially with their feces. Serological examination for toxoplasmosis needs to be done if there is a history of miscarriage, especially if more than one.

The next step that is no less important is to provide a special place for cats to defecate (small and defecate), so that people who intend/happy to keep cats should also train their pets to be able to defecate/urine in its place. This step can at least limit the places/environments that might be exposed to cat feces.

    In addition, we should give the cats that we care for in sufficient quantities so that the cats feel full so that the cats do not roam around and look for other food, for example by catching mice. Cats should also not consume raw meat because toxoplasma can be contained in the flesh of other animals/mammals. It is through this contaminated food that cats usually contract this toxoplasma infection. Because of that, it's a good idea to change our habit of keeping cats to hunt down the rats that roam the house, lest we solve the problem with another new problem.