Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by a tiny parasite called toxoplasma gondii. Like listeriosis, toxoplasmosis is usually only a problem if it passes from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.

A mother may not even notice if she catches toxoplasmosis or she may have just mild, flu-like symptoms. The harm caused to her baby will depend on the stage of the pregnancy. The most dangerous time is the first half of pregnancy when the baby’s body is developing. Toxoplasmosis may then cause many problems including damage to the baby’s brain and eyes.

There is a good chance that you have already been in contact with toxoplasmosis and are therefore immune. Your baby is then safe from the infection. Ask your midwife or family doctor about a blood test to check your immunity to toxoplasmosis.

If you are worried that you may have caught toxoplasmosis during your pregnancy, contact your family doctor. The infection can be diagnosed with a blood test and drugs can be given to reduce the risk of the parasite passing to your baby.

Guarding against toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii may be found in raw, undercooked and cured meat, soil, dirty fruit and vegetables and the faeces of infected cats. Toxoplasmosis can only be caught by eating contaminated food or by putting dirty hands in your mouth.

Take care when you come into contact with soil:

• Always wear gloves when gardening or farming
• When you have finished in the garden, wash your hands thoroughly

Your chance of catching toxoplasmosis from contaminated food will be much less if you store and prepare your food carefully, following the basic rules of food safety. Also read our is it safe? food chart.

Research published in 2000 concluded that contact with cats is not a major risk factor for toxoplasmosis. Even so, it is sensible to take care when handling cat faeces: 

• If possible, get somebody else to empty your cat’s litter tray
• If you have to do it yourself, wear rubber gloves and use a scoop or small trowel
• Wrap the dirty litter in several sheets of newspaper and place the parcel directly in your dustbin
• Wash your gloved hands before removing your gloves, then wash your bare hands thoroughly

The risk of your baby being harmed by toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is very small. In the UK, only about one baby in every 50,000 births is affected by the illness. Follow the basic guidelines for clean storage and preparation of food - and don’t forget to wash your hands!

If you want to know more, speak with your midwife or family doctor or contact the Toxoplasmosis Trust for up-to-date information and support.