Toxoplasmosis is a condition that is known to infect many people across the UK. It is caused by a parasite and humans are often unaware that they are infected as the symptoms are very similar to that of flu and our immune systems are often robust enough to deal with the infection efficiently. However if you are pregnant or have small children toxoplasmosis must be avoided as it can be deadly when it infects lesser developed immune systems such as that of a foetus and is known to cause miscarriage.
Dogs and cats are known to be the main carriers of toxoplasmosis. As the parasite is known to be present in many birds and small animals dogs and cats can become infected – cats because they like to hunt these creatures and dogs because they will eat pretty much anything! Humans in turn then become infected if they unknowingly swallow cat or dog faeces. This can happen picking up dog muck, cleaning cat litter trays or simply gardening.
This doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your dog or cat! It simply means you need to take extra precautions and pay special care to animal hygiene. If you are pregnant do not change the cat litter tray or clean up any cat or dog mess. Get someone else to do it. If for any reason you have to handle cat or dog faeces use protective gloves. The same applies when gardening – preferably get someone else to do it or where strong gloves.
Things to consider:
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