Why do you need a test for toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease, most often carried by cats. The immune system of a healthy person easily copes with a disease that is practically asymptomatic. At the same time, toxoplasmosis is very dangerous for expectant mothers, as it can harm the development of the baby.

The incidence of toxoplasmosis depends on diet and lifestyle. In France (due to eating undercooked meat), 88% of the population is infected, and among the Japanese - only 7%. One way or another, 65% of the world's population has suffered from toxoplasmosis. Preliminary testing helps determine whether and when you were sick.

If you have been sick for a long time, then you can safely plan to expand your family - your body has already developed the necessary antibodies that will protect both you and the unborn child. A recent illness requires some delay in planning pregnancy while antibodies are in the process of final formation. And if it turns out that you do not have immunity to toxoplasma, you will have to avoid cats throughout your pregnancy and play it safe. After all, toxoplasmosis can cause fetal fetal death (this occurs in 10-17% of cases if the infection passed in the first three months of pregnancy) and multiple developmental pathologies.

For pregnant women who have not had toxoplasmosis and people with immunodeficiency, Dr. Komarovsky recommends adhering to the following rules:

1. Thermally process meat products. Meat must be fried to a temperature of 64 degrees Celsius inside the piece, minced meat - to 71 degrees, and chicken - to 74.

2. Avoid meat with blood.

3. Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.

4. Don't forget to wash cutting boards, knives and other kitchen utensils that come into contact with raw food.

5. Monitor the quality of drinking water.

6. Don't have kittens. And if you already have a cat, do not feed it fresh meat (only after freezing or boiling).

Thus, testing for toxoplasmosis is important for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems in order to take precautions in time and avoid contracting this dangerous disease.