Medicine knows many diseases, each of which has a special type of spread and consequences. It is worth noting that some of them can be harmless and not pose a threat to others and, in fact, to an infected person. Others become fatal to certain individuals. Still others cause irreparable harm only to the owner, that is, to the source of infection. This article will discuss what are the ways of transmission of toxoplasmosis. You will find out what kind of disease it is and who is its carrier. It is also worth mentioning what are the consequences of toxoplasmosis for different groups of people.
Toxoplasmosis: what is this disease?
To begin with, it should be said that toxoplasmosis is not a viral or bacterial infection. Toxoplasma is a kind of parasite that lives in the body and lays its larvae. It is worth noting that the only creature in which this organism lives is a cat. It is this family that is capable of infecting everyone around.
Infection with toxoplasmosis is also possible among other animal species. However, in this case, the parasite larvae are not released into the atmosphere.
Routes of transmission of toxoplasmosis
Any animal or person can become infected with such a disease. After the illness, most people develop a stable immunity to the parasite. Routes of transmission of toxoplasmosis may be different. But it is worth saying right away that the disease is not transmitted through sexual contact, in a domestic way or by airborne droplets. How is infection with toxoplasmosis in most cases? Consider ways to transmit this disease.
Method one: through cat feces
The most common transmission routes for toxoplasmosis are feline waste products. If an infected cat lives in your house, then, together with its feces, it releases several thousand larvae into the atmosphere. So, fresh waste in most cases does not pose any danger. However, after a few hours, the active spread of larvae that can penetrate the human body and infect it begins.
Transmission of toxoplasmosis can occur not only in direct contact with cat waste, but also through a regular tray. If, after changing your pet’s toilet, you don’t wash your hands with antibacterial soap, then most likely you will be infected soon.
Method two: through raw meat and eggs
As mentioned above, toxoplasma can affect other animals. It is worth noting that dogs, cows, hens and others are not the ultimate "hosts" of parasites. So, they do not pose any direct danger to humans. However, the “acquisition" of a parasite can easily occur when an infected product is consumed. How is toxoplasmosis transmitted in this case?
If a person eats uncooked or raw meat, as well as chicken or quail eggs in raw form, then there is a high probability of infection with a parasite. With good heat treatment, all harmful microorganisms die, including toxoplasma larvae. That is why eating raw foods or not well cooked can lead to infection.
The third way: through dirty vegetables and fruits
It would seem, what threat can this group of food products pose? As it turned out, infection can occur in this case. How is toxoplasmosis transmitted through berries, fruits, herbs and other products grown on the ground?
If an infected cat has released waste products on the ground or sand on which the fruit is grown, then the larvae can also get on them. However, many people eat food directly from the garden. They are sure that their fruits are absolutely safe. But do not rely on luck. Toxoplasma can live on grown crops for a long time, waiting in the wings.
All ripped berries, fruits and greens should be thoroughly washed with hot water. Only in this case you will protect yourself from the parasite.
Method four: how do small children become infected?
How do babies get toxoplasmosis? It would seem that mothers carefully make sure that the children eat only carefully washed and processed foods. But, despite this, infection occurs. Why?
During games in the sandbox, the baby can easily “get” a toxoplasma larva into his body. Similarly, the parasite can move onto toys or baby clothes. Banal non-hygiene in this case can lead to infection.
Try to wash your child’s hands immediately after a walk. Do not allow him to touch other cats and then drag his hands into his mouth. Use antiseptic solutions that kill most bacteria.
The fifth method: intrauterine infection of the fetus
Perhaps the most dangerous way to “acquire” this parasite is through intrauterine transmission. It is worth noting that infection occurs in different ways during different periods of pregnancy. Every woman preparing to become a mother is screened for the presence of this parasite in her body.
Antibodies to toxoplasmosis can persist for several years or remain in the blood for life. In the case when a woman does not have antibodies, this means that she was not previously affected by this parasite.
Infection with toxoplasmosis of an unborn child occurs through the blood of a future mother. It is worth noting that the longer the gestation period, the less likely that the parasite will have an irreparable effect on the fetus.
The consequences of toxoplasmosis
Most often, toxoplasma does not cause much harm to the human body. However, this applies only to those people who are completely healthy and have strong immunity. In most cases, the infected person may not know about the infection at all. At the same time, a person feels a slight malaise, which may be accompanied by a slight increase in temperature. Most often, people attribute this condition to a commonplace cold, which disappears after a few days. After infection, antibodies to toxoplasmosis are produced. Immunity is acquired for the rest of your life. Consider the consequences of toxoplasmosis. What is the danger of this parasite?
Acute form of the disease
If a person has an acute form of the disease, then pathologies such as pneumonia, damage to the stomach or intestines, and an increase in the spleen and liver can occur. The consequences of infection such as fever, cramps, and even paralysis also occur.
It is worth noting that this form of the disease, like similar consequences, occurs extremely rarely. More often it is acquired by people with reduced immunity.
Chronic form of the disease
If chronic toxoplasmosis is detected, what is the parasite dangerous in this case? It is worth noting that this type of disease is more common than the acute form. In this case, the consequences of infection may occur, such as fever, weakness, swollen lymph nodes.
In some cases, complications such as damage to the heart muscle, visual impairment, and the acquisition of neurological diseases occur.
For people with HIV
If the parasite has entered the human body with immunodeficiency, then very serious consequences can occur. Complications may be different depending on the form of the disease and the defeat of one or another organ. So, often after infection, the brain, nervous system, kidneys, liver and other systems begin to suffer.
In most cases, such infected people have to fight this parasite for a very long time. Treatment can take a lifetime.
For babies in the womb
If a pregnant woman has passed the study and positive test results were obtained, toxoplasmosis can have an irreparable effect on the unborn child. It is worth noting that the possibility of complications decreases in proportion to the increase in gestation.
If a woman becomes infected in the first trimester of pregnancy, then there is a great risk to the fetus. In this case, the consequences can be in the form of a delay in mental or physical development, congenital blindness, the occurrence of pathology of such organs as the lungs, liver, spleen. In more severe cases, intrauterine death or spontaneous miscarriage occurs. Many doctors recommend terminating a pregnancy if positive test results are obtained in the first trimester.
Toxoplasmosis, found in the second trimester, carries a slightly lower threat and likelihood of infection. However, there remains a risk of congenital heart, kidney, or developmental delays. When receiving positive test results during this period, the doctor chooses the most often expectant tactics. In this case, a thorough examination of the future baby is carried out for the likelihood of complications.
The third trimester of pregnancy is the safest of all. If infection occurred during this period, then, most likely, no complication for the fetus will arise. However, toxoplasmosis must be cured before delivery. Otherwise, infection will occur during the passage of the baby through the birth canal. In this case, an acute form of development of the pathology in the baby occurs. The consequences of the disease may be appropriate.
What should each person do?
If you do not know whether toxoplasmosis has been transferred before, then it is worth taking an analysis. The study is most often carried out by examining the blood.
If the result "Toxoplasmosis is negative" came to you, then this means that you do not have antibodies to this disease. In this case, infection can occur at any time. Pregnant women and the fair sex, planning a conception, should be especially careful with such results.
If the analysis shows that there is immunity to this parasite, then you can not be afraid of anything. Of course, this does not mean that you need to eat raw foods and not follow hygiene rules. However, be aware that in this case there is no likelihood of infection. Expectant mothers should not worry about the effect of microorganisms on the unborn child.
If a positive result for toxoplasma is obtained, then treatment is necessary. Most often, it consists in increasing the body's immune defenses and preventing complications.
Summarizing
Get tested for toxoplasmosis and learn more about your health to avoid troubles. Now you have an idea of what are the ways of transmitting the disease and the possible consequences. Follow all safety measures, only in this case you can protect yourself and your family from the parasite. Expectant mothers are advised to take an analysis to identify this disease at least twice during pregnancy. Be healthy and never get sick!