Rekans, kebetulan saya punya artikel mengenai penyakit TORCH, semoga berguna bagi rekans semua. Bagian pertama ini mengenai Toxoplasmosis. Mamanya Dafi Why is it dangerous to change my cat's litter now that I'm pregnant? Cat feces can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, 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. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com Kunjungi: http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com "Untuk mereka yang mendambakan anak balitanya tumbuh sehat & cerdas" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Etika berinternet, kirim email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Berhenti berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EMERGENCY ONLY! Jika kesulitan unsubscribe, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Panduan Menulis Email yang Efektif http://hhh.indoglobal.com/email/ http://pencarian-informasi.or.id/ - Solusi Pencarian Informasi di Internet