The Toxoplasmosis Threat
Keywords: Pets, toxoplasmosis threat
Since I was little I remember when friends of the family visited our house to advice me not to kiss my cat or touch her and then put my fingers in my mouth. The danger was called toxoplasmosis and although I was particularly young to understand what it was or why it was so serious, I felt compelled to touch my cat and then wash my hands at least before dinner.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan “Toxoplasma gondii.” Animals are infected by this single-celled organism by eating infected meat and humans are in danger when they come in contact with the feces of infected animals, usually cats, or by transmission from a mother to her fetus. But the most common means of transmission to humans is raw or undercooked meat. Yet, the illness is usually minor and self-limiting. Treatments can reduce symptoms and after the first weeks of infection, the parasite rarely causes any problems in otherwise healthy adults.
According to researchers, toxoplasmosis is found all over the world and infects about 30 percent of feline population-cats are primary carriers of the disease and usually contract it from eating birds, mice and other small animals or through consuming scraps of uncooked meat-and 50 percent of the human population. Although in the adult community, the parasite rarely causes any signs or symptoms-apart from a flu-like minor ones-because the immune system is usually strong enough to control the organism, those with weakened immune systems, such those who are affected by HIV, may become seriously ill.
Experts explain that although the symptoms might be nothing more that swollen lymph glands and muscle aches and pains that can last a few weeks, the real danger is for fetuses whose mothers carry the parasite. Due to their immature immune systems, unborn children can develop brain damage or blindness from the disease and thus women, who wish to carry a baby, have to be tested with a simple blood test called a titer, in order to check if they carry the parasite or its antibodies before becoming pregnant. If her organism has not developed the necessary antibodies, then she has to go under the necessary treatment prior to pregnancy and of course take precautions to avoid coming in contact with the disease while she is going to be pregnant.
But regardless if you are planning to become pregnant or are just wondering whether or not you are carrying the parasite, there are many things that can be done to avoid this disease. Always handle raw meat while wearing gloves and all the surfaces that come in contact with the raw meat have to be disinfected directed afterwards. In addition, any meat that is going to be consumed has to be cooked thoroughly until it is not pink anymore. Because cats are the primary hosts of this parasite, women should avoid cleaning their feces barehanded and people of all ages should always remember to wash their hands after touching their cat’s litter box.
After all, the advice I was given was totally true and useful. Washing hands before dinner as well as prior and after any cooking process is still one of my main concerns. If you are concerned whether you have been infected at some point and you now carry the antibodies or if the parasite is still alive in you, then you should go ahead and perform the titer test to check your current situation. Particularly if you are pregnant or if your immune system is not as strong as you would like it to be, call your doctor and find out what kind of treatment you can use in order to get rid of this disease as quickly as possible.
Kadence Buchanan writes articles for ipetcentral.net - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for thetennisstop.net and healthinformationsource.net
Previous Articles Highlighter:
What Is Cal Ripken Doing Today (1)
However, Ripken's most enduring legacy and gift to the sport of baseball may come from the work he has done since his retirement. One of the first things Ripken did upon retirement was to announce the creation of a facility dedicated to developing baseball at a grass-roots level.
Postmodernism And Architecture (2)
Postmodernism is concerned with all surface, no substance. There is a loss of the center. Postmodernist works are often characterized by a lack of depth; a flatness. Individuals are no longer anomic, because there is nothing from which one can sever ties.
The Impact Of MNEs (3)
Such measures, that restrict free trade and enhance the threat of reducing gains, drive MNEs either to accept the new roles of the global game or in most cases to o ppose it.
Just Play Beach Soccer (4)
Since then it managed to become a rather popular sport and I believe that if you really want to learn something about soccer you should better start playing it on the beach.
Holding An Umbrella (5)
Keywords: Umbrella, rain, rain protections, recreation Can you imagine yourself getting out during a rainy day without holding the beloved shelter of an umbrella in your hand? Even if your raincoat matches your outfit and keeps your clothes dry while walking under the rain, the use of an umbrella has transcended generations, royal customs and cultures, becoming a necessity, a cheap but highly desirable device that can indeed protect the beholder as well as improve his or her overall appearance.
Building A Home Gym (6)
Does the whole basement seem a good idea, or do you have a spare room you use currently to put laundry which can fit your purposes perfectly? Decide on which area of your house is going to be hosting all the equipment you will later carry in and measure its exact dimensions.
Treating Jealousy (7)
Thus, the following five tips were collected to assist parents in managing jealousy and bringing harmony back into their homes. - Treat children as unique individuals Siblings do not to be treated exactly the same.
Indoor Gardening Tips (8)
If there are not that many indoor plants, you may consider bringing them out into the sun during the day before bringing them back inside. Think of your plants as batteries.
Two Views Of Social Responsibility (9)
Two contrasting philosophies, or models, define the range of management attitudes toward social responsibility; the economic and the socioeconomic model. According to the traditional concept of business, a firm exists to produce quality goods and services, earn a reasonable profit and provide jobs.
Frequently Asked Tennis Questions (10)
If, however, the referee doesn't state that cellular phones should be turned off before the game, in certain cases, a referee may allow a player to have a let. However, this can only happen once per game at most for any play er, since after it occurs, every player should be familiar with the fact that cellular phones should be left aside.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Is Remodeling An Investment? (1)
Especially if you are not sure whether or not you are going to keep this place forever, you have to take into account the views of others; people who do not belong to your close family members.
That Turn-Heading Porch Is Yours (2)
Focus your attention to the floor, the house walls and then progressively to all the furniture or other things you have placed on your porch over time. Do they look old, used or outdated?
How To Buy Shoes (3)
If they are slightly "broken," they will feel more comfortable when you will begin running to hit the tennis ball. Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for familyinformationsource.com - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for 4kidsandteens.com and livingtheoutdoorslife.com
Teddy The Bear (4)
After years of mass-production, the teddy bear comeback was initiated by a British actor, Peter Bull, who in 1969 publicly declared his love for teddy bears and his belief in this stuffed animal's importance in the emotional life of adults.
Phone Cards Are Here To Stay (5)
Although all these sound funny today as affordable phone cards make international calling possible and most importantly affordable, considering some things before purchasing a phone card is probably wiser than simply buying whichever card a local vendor carries.
Buying A Notebook For College (6)
So, if you have recently been accepted to college and you are not exactly sure which your computing needs will be, buying a notebook computer is not a luxury purchase, but actually a necessity.
Your Rainy Weather Companion (7)
It took England by surprise when the founder of the Magdalen Hospital, Jonas Hanway, became the pioneer who begun carrying an umbrella in public display around 1750 and continued doing so for over thirty years, up until his death.
The Niagara Falls Fantasy (8)
Present Niagara Falls visitors are able to cross the Canadian-US boarders often in order to admire its magnificent imagery from specially designed sitting areas or the Niagara Suspension and Whirlpool Rapids bridges.
Invest In A Recreational Vehicle (9)
On the other hand, the low fuel economy, the lack of having a maid service taking care of the daily clutter and the fact that larger motor homes can be difficult to handle on the streets or inside parking lots, might be viewed as disadvantages a potential motor home owner would have to consider before purchasing one.
Your Sport Is Pool (10)
Since it can be easily hidden under flat hardwood table-top surfaces, a pool table can become a multidimensional, exciting dinner table, which you can first use to entertain people by displaying some of your best cooking recipes and later enhance their evening by inviting them to a friendly straight pool competition.