What is the disease - toxoplasmosis?
Cats (and only cats) are parasitized by Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasma gondi), which the animal can "catch" by eating raw contaminated meat, and by accidentally swallowing germs with dirty water or feces. This is a really dangerous disease, but only for the early stage of fetal development. The adult person ill with them almost imperceptibly. There is a cat in the house, or not, chances are that our own organism for life managed to face this dangerous microbe. Overexcited, he defended himself against infection in the future.
The incubation period of the disease is from a few days to two months. The disease can occur in several forms, depending on the difference in the symptoms of its manifestation. It is known for certain that the causative agent of the disease is the same in both humans and cats.
Many have heard that toxoplasma has a negative effect on pregnancy, on the reproductive system, causes fetal death or the birth of children with abnormalities and deformities. That's why you can often hear advice on not allowing a pregnant woman to communicate with cats. For the same reason, pets are often thrown out of the house if an addition is expected in the family.
Is fear of infection justified?
Most often, fears are dictated only by the probability that the animal is already a potential source of toxoplasmosis. Indeed, during the carrying of the fetus, the infection with this disease carries a huge danger. Moreover, a miscarriage in this case is not the most tragic thing that can happen. It is much more terrible if a sick, defective child, a cripple, is born. This is really - a grief for the whole family for the rest of their lives.
Given this unpleasant chance to get a bunch of problems from the neighborhood with your beloved cat, people try to get rid of the animal by any means. But in fact, this should not be rushed. If the cat's influence on the health of future children was so unambiguous and inevitable, and infection of pregnant women with toxoplasmosis was so inevitable, half of humanity would already be moving in wheelchairs. But in fact, for the emergence of a truly dangerous scenario for the woman and her future offspring, a combination of several circumstances is necessary.
Firstly, if a cat lives with you for a long time - she probably already had time to suffer from toxoplasmosis, and you, most likely, have long ago suffered this disease. You could not even notice it, because his symptoms are very insignificant and quite similar to a common cold. This means that your body already has immunity, which by itself excludes repeated infection with toxoplasma. According to statistics, more than half of the people on the globe are infected with this microorganism. So, in France, about 90% of infected people, in America - 60%, in Russia - 70%. By the way, you can get infected with toxoplasmosis not only from a cat. A dangerous microbe can be introduced into the body, treating raw infected meat or during gardening, digging in the soil contaminated with microbes. It is necessary for future mothers to take this into account. As already mentioned, a woman who has had toxoplasmosis acquires a permanent immunity, which gives immunity to the disease. That is, the danger for future pregnancy and babies is already behind.
Secondly, cats who have suffered toxoplasmosis, also acquire immunity, becoming completely unprofitable to others. Thus, this combination of circumstances, when exactly at the time of pregnancy, the cat suddenly becomes infected with toxoplasmosis and infects the hostess - is unlikely. But only in this case, the cats are negatively affected by pregnancy.
Do not lose your vigilance.
In light of the above facts, the probability of getting sick during pregnancy is small, but still exists. So you can not dismiss it. To decide finally, whether to remove a cat from the house, examine it in a veterinary clinic. Let the mistress of the animal give the corresponding analyzes. If on your (with a cat) account you already have this transferred disease, then you can safely go on life together and not part. If the cat does not have immunity, then it retains the risk of getting infected (at the most inopportune time) with toxoplasmosis, and this considerably complicates matters.
To prevent infection of the pet should not be released to the street, feed raw meat, give dairy products that have not been thermally treated. A pregnant woman is better to refrain from cleaning the cat's "toilet", entrusting it to the rest of the family. If this is not possible, then use rubber gloves (sterile and disposable). From time to time, disinfect the cat tray with boiling water. And only in the most extreme case, if it's really scary, you can give the pet for a while to relatives until your long-awaited baby is born.