6 weeks pregnant and have a question about Toxoplasmosis.
I am 6 weeks pregnant and went to the GP for my 1st visit last week. I am French and my doctor (the one I use to see when I was still living in France) always told me to be extra careful the day I'll be pregnant as I am not immunized against toxoplasmosis - she advised me to stay away from cats and litter but also to stop eating tomatoes and lettuce but also that it was compulsory for me to have a blood test every month to check that I had contracted the parasitic- when I mentioned this to my GP she said that there no need here in England to do that kind of test and that as long as I was washing vegetables, fruits and others thoroughly and stay away from cats that will be fine. Who is right ? or what do you think about it ?
2007-01-29 03:45:58 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
am not talking about a vaccine - UK answers please
2007-01-29 03:54:57 · update #1
I was told to keep away from lambs and pregnant ewes ( yes I live on a farm)!
Some of the lambs were born dead with Toxoplasmisis so I kept well away from any livestock.
The sheep had become infected with stray cats we had living in the hay shed, doing all their business in the hay, and then I had been feeding this to my sheep which contracted the parasite.
Just keep washing your hands! You will be fine. Good luck. x
2007-01-29 03:58:24 · answer #1 · answered by misstake 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't test for toxoplasmosis here in Canada or the US routinely, the same as is in the UK because our cats are mostly indoor cats. The vegitables here are also ridden with pesticides... not so good, but not so bad in this case, so there's no way toxoplasmosis can survive in our lettus or tomatoes. We also wash them very very well before eating. It's still good practice to not do any gardening (cats sometimes burry their poop in there) or clean the cat litter during your pregnancy though. Unless you have no other choice, then you're told to wash very very well and wear a mask.
2007-01-29 03:51:54 · answer #2 · answered by Gig 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The English doc is right. Just wash things and don't change the cat box. You can pet the cat as long as you wash your hands after. The cat box is the most dangerous. I never heard of a vaccine for Toxoplasmosis. But, if you've had it before, you won't get it again. If you've had cats as a kid and always grew up with them, you've probably already had it. In "normal" people, it shows up like a common cold, so you'd never know if you had it or not.
2007-01-29 03:52:44 · answer #3 · answered by happymommy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is toxoplasmosis common in france? i'm in the us and its not all that common.it does happen though. cat litter is a major culprit. i've never heard of tomatoes and lettucebeing a problem. it could have something to do with the way things are grown in france.wash your vegies and stay away from cat litter like the dr. told you. i have never heard of an immunization for it either.perhaps that is also something done in certain areas only. best of luck with your pregnancy. i'm sure you'll be fine.
2007-01-29 03:59:33 · answer #4 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are sensible by washing and peeling your vegetable etc. you should be o.k. The other thing is to wear gloves when gardening, because other people's cats could be using your garden for their toilet. I've never heard of having to have blood tests to check for signs of toxoplasmosis.
2007-01-29 05:22:48 · answer #5 · answered by ZYGGY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in the US and was never told about the veggies thing or having the test. We have three cats and all my OB said was to not change the litter myself. Most cats (at least here in US) do not carry that parasite unless they go outside a lot...
2007-01-29 03:53:18 · answer #6 · answered by tyandtobesmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish I'd asked for the toxo blood test early in preg, they can check whether you have already been exposed. Chances are as a cat owner I got it years ago and all would be fine now. I almost hope I have had it for years then I wouldn't worry about contracting bout during preg and passing on to baby.
2007-01-30 04:30:02 · answer #7 · answered by crabbit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife is 37wks pregnant with our 3rd baby and we have a cat but aslong as pregnant woman dont touch cat litter etc then there is almost no risk of them gettting toxoplasmosis. If you have any worries speak to your doctor or midwife
2007-01-29 04:13:00 · answer #8 · answered by thedaddy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England there is no vaccine against toxoplasmosis. As long as you dont go near cat poo you will be fine
2007-01-29 03:48:46 · answer #9 · answered by OriginalBubble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be fine in England as long as you do wash all vegetables and keep clear of cats and if you have to do ay gardening where you need to touch the soil make sure you wear gloves.
2007-01-29 03:53:10 · answer #10 · answered by mistickle17 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋