Mbak Rossy, kebetulan saya masih simpan artikel TORCH kiriman dari Mama Dafi. Moga2 berguna Salam Mamanya Hana Toxoplasmosis Why is it dangerous to change my cat's litter now that I'm pregnant? Cat feces can carry a parasite that causes oxoplasmosis, an infection that isn't serious for you but can pose a danger to your developing baby. Some birds and other animals, as well as some raw meats, can also carry the parasite. Toxoplasmosis causes most severe damage to the fetus if a woman comes down with it in her first trimester. Happily, the odds of contracting toxoplasmosis during pregnancy are low--only about one in 1,000 women do so. Studies also indicate that about one-third of American women are immune to toxoplasmosis altogether. And if you live with cats the likelihood is even higher that you've already contracted the disease and developed an immunity to it. What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis? The symptoms in adults are fairly mild: Swollen lymph glands in the neck, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. They usually appear about two to three weeks after you've been exposed. But some infected adults show no symptoms at all. For a fetus, the effects of toxoplasmosis are more dire. It can result in low birthweight, fever, jaundice, and seizures, as well as long-term health conditions such as mental retardation, and vision problems. I'm still worried--what can I do to make sure I don't have it? You can take a blood test that measures whether or not you're immune to the parasite. If you have no antibodies, you're not immune. The recommended procedure is to repeat the antibody test every month or so until you deliver. Should the tests become positive along the way, it's likely you're infected. Treatment involves taking special antibiotics over a period of several months, and greatly reduces the risk that the baby will be born with any serious problems. Another option is to test whether your fetus is infected. This can be done through amniocentesis, as well as by examining a fetal blood and/or amniotic fluid sample. Babies at risk can also be tested after delivery. If a baby does show signs of the infection, he'll receive long-term antibiotic treatment and be followed closely. It's reassuring to know that only one baby in 10,000 is born with severe congenital toxoplasmosis. How can I avoid getting it in the first place? Since the parasite can be found in raw or undercooked meat, eat your burger or steak well-done. And when you're handling raw meat, wash your hands thoroughly afterward. If you're gardening where there might be cat feces, wear rubber gloves, and wash your hands well after touching the soil. As for your cat, feed him storebought pet food to be sure he's not eating undercooked meat. And rein him in. Keep him inside, if possible, to prevent him from hunting mice, since they can harbor the parasite. If you can't keep your cat from prowling the neighborhood, don't hold him close to your face, or share your bed, sheets, pillows, or blankets with him. Always wash your hands thoroughly after playing with him. Use gloves when emptying the litter and wash your hands when you're finished. Better yet, have someone else take over cat-box duty for the duration of your pregnancy--something you surely won't miss. If, after all this, you're still worried, you can have your cat tested by a veterinarian to see if he has an infection. And if he does, you should board him with someone else for six weeks or so until the infection can no longer be passed along. German Measles (Rubella) What is rubella? Rubella, or German measles, is an infection characterized by a pink-red rash that first appears on the face and later spreads to other parts of the body, a mild fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus runs its course in about three days. Although rubella is a relatively mild illness, it's very dangerous for a pregnant woman as it can cause birth defects from deafness to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and heart defects. Fortunately, at least 75 percent of women in their childbearing years are immune to the disease, either from a childhood vaccination or a bout with German measles as a child. What if I'm not immune? What can I do? Ideally, you should get vaccinated before you get pregnant and then wait three months before trying to conceive. This gives your body enough time to completely kill off the injected virus so you won't be in danger of passing it to your baby. If you got the vaccine in the early weeks of your pregnancy before you knew you were carrying a child, don't worry; the chances it will harm your baby are very low. Still, your doctor may recommend a detailed ultrasound at 18 weeks to give you some reassurance. If you become infected with German measles during pregnancy, the risk to your baby depends on when you contracted the infection. If it happens during the first month, there's a one in two chance your baby will be affected. By the third month, the risk drops to one in 10. Unfortunately, nothing can be done during the pregnancy to protect the fetus. You'll need to work closely with your healthcare provider to test for birth defects and prepare for when the baby's born. (1) cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) A common viral infection transmitted by saliva, breast milk, urine. Relatively rare and relatively mild, the infection does occasionally cause deafness and neurological problems in newborns. (2)Cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that causes many diseases in humans, especially in infants and people with abnormal immune systems. Cytomegalovirus infection is characterized by swollen glands, fever and fatigue. CMV may take the form of hepatitis, or -- in newborns -- jaundice and low birth weight. In the most severe cases of infected infants, CMV may result in brain damage, deafness, blindness and death. In patients with cancer, transplanted organs, or AIDS or other immune deficiencies, CMV can cause severe disease of the lungs, colon, eye or brain. There are three antiviral drugs available that may be very effective in treating some types of CMV infection. These include ganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir. Herpes I'm 9 weeks pregnant and I just had my first outbreak of herpes. (I didn't notice it until after my husband and I had intercourse.) He has a history of herpes, and, to the best of my knowledge, I do not. How will this affect my fetus? Drs. Gottesfeld: A primary or first herpes outbreak can affect your developing fetus; however, this is quite rare. The main concern with herpes in pregnancy is at the time of delivery. If you have an active lesion or symptoms of an impending outbreak when you are in labor, it is important to notify your provider. It's likely that your doctor or midwife will recommend that your baby be delivered by Cesarean section to decrease the risk of transmitting the herpes virus to your newborn. Since a primary outbreak during pregnancy does increase your chances of miscarriage and premature labor, aquaint yourself with the signs and symptoms of these problems. Also, notify your midwife or doctor about this outbreak so she can keep an eye on you and your baby. Good luck! "Fatchy, Rossy E" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 09/25/2000 09:04:47 AM Please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc: (bcc: Intan Suri/BASF-INDONESIA/BASF) Subject: [balita-anda] Minta Info Dear Netters, Saya adalah anggota baru dari milis ini dan merasa beruntung sekali karena pada saat ini saya sedang hamil anak pertama dengan usia kandungan 3 bulan. Ini adalah buah hati yang sangat kami tunggu selama kurang lebih satu tahun. Saya ada masalah karena berdasarkan hasil TORCH yang diterima mengatakan saya positif terkena virus tokso (Igg 1:1600) dan virus CMV (1:400). Saya sedih sekali, tetapi saya sudah diberi obat dan suntikan oleh DSOG saya. Jika ada diantara para netters yang bisa memberikan info mengenai kedua virus ini, saya akan sangat berterima kasih. Terima kasih sebelumnya, Rossy Elvina Fatchy >> Kirim bunga ke-20 kota di Indonesia? Klik, http://www.indokado.com >> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com Etika berinternet, email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
