Bathe baby for no more than ten minutes in warm water especially if he shows signs of skin eczema. ||Don’t forget to put labels with date and time on your expressed milk bottles to check expiry dates ||Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months is the best prevention of food allergies ||Make sure your baby wears a hat if she will be in a cold environment ||Always keep the number of Poison Centre posted beside your phone ||Your toddler may be clumsy simply due to her trials to master so many new physical skills at the same time. The more active she is, the more likely she will drop things, run into things, or fall down. ||When giving suspension or liquid medicines, use the dosage cup enclosed in the package or a syringe ||There are parenting mistakes that are harmless. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician ||Put a photo of a face – yours – on the side of the cot for your baby to look at. Human faces fascinate babies ||You'll develop a unique parenting style that is right for your family and may be quite different from your neighbors and friends. ||
Can I really get a dangerous infection from my cat?

David Barrere, MD

If you have a cat, you may have heard you are at risk of catching an illness from your pet during pregnancy.

Your question
I have a cat, and heard there's a danger of me getting toxoplasmosis from her? What is toxoplasmosis, and how can I avoid it?

The expert answers


Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis) is a protozoan that has a complex, 3-stage life cycle that is dependent on cats, which are the only known host for the oocyst stage. The oocyst stage develops in the cat's intestine, and is excreted in feces. Human infection occurs when food is contaminated with feces or infected meat is consumed. Stray cats and domestic cats that consume raw meat are most likely to harbor toxoplasmosis. Hand washing and proper cooking of meats helps to prevent human infection.

When an infection occurs, they most commonly are asymptomatic. Symptomatic infection, although quite rare, presents in a similar fashion to mononucleosis . Immunocompromised patients (patients with HIV infection or who are taking immunosuppressants after organ transplants) are more susceptible to symptomatic infection.

The diagnosis of an acute infection is made by serologic (blood) testing for antibodies to toxoplasmosis. The initial antibody produced is called IgM, and the presence of this antibody indicates a recent infection. Later, the body produces antibodies called IgG.

Congenital infection of the fetus can occur if a woman develops acute toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. The third trimester is the period of highest fetal susceptibility to infection. Recurrent or chronic infection is unlikely to cause injury to the fetus unless the patient is immunocompromised.

Treatment of an acute infection is recommended in pregnant women and non-pregnant, immunocompromised patients. Treatment of the mother clearly has been shown to decrease the risk of congenital infection, however it does not totally eliminate its occurrence. Close follow-up of the fetus using frequent ultrasonography should be instituted, looking for signs of infection including:

· growth restriction

· calcifications within the brain

· microcephaly (small head)

· hepatosplenomegaly (organ enlargement)

· ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest)

Amniocentesis to obtain amniotic fluid, or cordocentesis to obtain fetal blood can be performed to test for the presence of toxoplasmosis, however this is rarely done.

By far, the best treatment for toxoplasmosis is prevention of the infection. For this reason, many pregnant women are advised not to change the cat's litter box during pregnancy.



----Cited from D Barrere, MD, pregnancy and child magazine----

Articles
2356
Home Visit Service

Your Baby checkup

Is my child developing normally?
what are the vaccinations that he should have taken until now?
Generate a report for my baby.
Birthdate *

Track Your Baby Vaccinations

Receive reminders by email for the Vaccination timing
Baby Name *
Email *
Birthdate *

Find Your Baby name

Visit our Clinics

Mohandessin

Address View Map
21 Batal Ahmed Abdel Aziz St, 3rd floor

Telephones

01002195777

01000012400

0233048350

Beverly Hills

Address View Map
Beverly Hills, Building 29 services, behind Super Market Al Mokhtar, floor 1.

Telephones

01000012900

0238576831

El Tagamo3

Address View Map
Elegantry Mall, Unit 221

Telephones
01000012800 01000884592

Al Sheikh Zayed

Address View Map
Al Sheikh Zayed - Entrance 2,Downtown Mall - In-front of Spectra ,First Floor - Clinic 113

Telephones

02- 38514031

01000608597

Please enter your e-mail