Toxoplasmosis, what NOT to eat when pregnant

We know that we must pay attention to raw foods, but let’s see in detail what to do to prevent toxoplasmosis.

If you are pregnant or trying to have a baby, you have most likely already been warned about the dangers of toxoplasmosis, contact with cats, and eating raw meat and vegetables. It is in fact an infection whose most known vehicle of contagion is the passage from felines to humans, and which can easily lurk in some types of meat or in vegetables contaminated with cat feces. Let’s see together what it is and what are the foods to avoid for a pregnancy safe from toxoplasmosis.

What is toxoplasmosis and why it is more dangerous in pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis is the disease that develops following the infection of a parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which can affect various  animals  including mammals, birds, reptiles and molluscs. Only in felines, however, is it able to complete its life cycle and reproduce. The parasite lives in the cat’s intestine  and creates cysts (or rather, oocysts) that are emitted into the external environment through the feces, and can get to contaminate food. A “privileged” way of contagion therefore, can occur during the cleaning of the cat’s litter. This does not mean that you should be separated from it for the entire time of pregnancy! It will be enough to pay special attention, wear gloves and a mask, wash the litter box with very hot water, or maybe ask your partner or people close to you to do it for you. Also pay attention to gardening and gardening activities if the cat has access to the land.

Toxoplasma gondii is among the most widespread parasites in the world. In Europe it is estimated that 50-80% of the population will come into contact with it sooner or later. When this happens, an immune response is activated which then acts as a protection in case of subsequent contacts: one becomes immune for the rest of life. Normally, our  immune system  is able to keep the parasite under control and avoid the development of the disease, so there are no particular symptoms or discomfort. In some cases, the effects can be similar to those of a mild flu. Gestation, however, represents a condition of immune stress for which it is easier for the parasite to prevail.

Among the tests that are done at the beginning of pregnancy there is the  toxo-test , to understand if you have already been in contact with Toxoplasma and have developed immunity or not and are therefore at risk of contracting the infection. It is a simple blood test which checks for the  presence of  specific antibodies against the parasite, which are of two types: IgM, which are formed when the infection is in progress, and IgG, which remain in circulation in the next phase. If you are susceptible to the disease, you will need to have your blood tested every month until delivery.

Foods to avoid to prevent toxoplasmosis

In addition to contact with cats, the other main route of contagion from toxoplasmosis is represented by the consumption of some raw or unwashed foods, contaminated by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts: let’s see them in detail.

The  raw meat  or undercooked meat, especially the lamb, pork and beef, is the prime suspect for the infection toxoplasmosis; this also includes raw or slightly seasoned cold cuts and sausages, ready-to-eat meats such as sausages, pork, hot dogs if not well cooked, pâtés or fresh meat creams (while you can eat sterilized, ie canned). This happens because muscle cysts may be present in the meat that originate from bradizoites, another vital form of the Toxoplasma cycle in warm-blooded animals.
For those who have a cat at home, a further precaution in this regard is to avoid putting raw meat in its bowl, preferring cans and cooked foods. Also beware of any animal prey it could get.

Raw fruits and vegetables  are the other big category to watch out for, especially berries. It is not necessary to peel all the fruit before eating it – also because the peel contains a large percentage of the nutrients, and by eliminating it they would be lost – but it is important to wash it carefully. For greater safety, after rinsing everything under running water by rubbing with a toothbrush to remove any residue of earth, you can leave fruit and vegetables to soak for 30 minutes with baking soda, and rinse before consumption or cooking.

Then there is a third category to pay attention to, and that of  ready-  to- eat foods . They could in fact be subject to direct contamination, by contact with other raw foods that carry the pathogen, or indirectly, by contact with contaminated and inadequately cleaned tools or work surfaces. In   a restaurant, a well-cooked dish could be contaminated, for example, by a decorative salad leaf, such as the classic cutlet lying on a lettuce leaf, or a drink at the bar with a strawberry on the glass: it is therefore good to specify that you want a service without gaskets.

The  cooking of foods  is essential, but there are also  other precautions  to be taken in the kitchen to avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis.

  • While cooking, it is good to wash your hands with hot water and soap after handling the raw meat; it is also better to avoid tasting during cooking.
  • Beware of knives and other utensils, which must be washed so that they do not become a vehicle for cross-contamination between one food and another.
  • It is advisable to clean the refrigerator often as well, and to use a refrigerator thermometer to make sure it is always at a temperature of + 4 ° C or lower. Always to avoid cross contamination, separate raw products well from each other, and especially from vegetables and cooked foods ready for consumption.
  • Do not use the microwave oven to cook food: it does not guarantee uniform cooking.
  • Beware of insects that land on food, as they could be a vehicle for contamination. Leftover food should be protected with cling film or kept in the refrigerator away from insects or the house cat.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis and effects in pregnancy

When the immune defenses are strong, an eventual infection occurs asymptomatically. In particular conditions such as pregnancy, however, toxoplasmosis can manifest itself with  symptoms  that resemble those of a strong flu. These usually occur within a month of the onset of infection and include headache, fever and sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and more rarely those in the armpits, muscle aches and general fatigue. Those who have not developed immunity from toxoplasmosis, however, are advised to repeat the toxo-test every month until delivery for added safety.

If contracted during pregnancy, in addition to causing symptoms in the expectant mother, the infection can pass to the fetus via the placenta and have   very serious effects . In the first trimester the risk of it reaching the fetus is lower, but if it happens the damage is greater and can affect the vision and the central nervous system, causing hydrocephalus, epilepsy or mental retardation. There is also a high risk of miscarriage. In the last months of gestation, however, the probability of the infection being transmitted to the fetus is higher , but with potentially less serious consequences because its organs are already formed. Also the risk of the baby being born with  congenital toxoplasmosis it increases the more gestation is advanced when the future mother contracts the infection.

One last recommendation: it is normal to worry about the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, and it is advisable to take all possible precautions to prevent it, but we must also not forget that excessive stress is not good for either the expectant mother or her. small. A caress of the house cat is fine: give him the cuddles, and wash his hands afterwards. Taking care of yourself in a balanced way is always the best thing!

 

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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