Mythbust Monday—Should pregnant women avoid cats?
I’ve heard about people getting rid of their cats because of this myth. Before you give Mr. Fluffykins away, you should know the truth.
Even though there is some level of truth to this myth, there is also a lot of hysteria behind it. Cats can become infected with a parasite called toxoplasma gondii. This organism typically causes mild symptoms and may even go unnoticed in animals and humans. When cats eat contaminated animals such as birds or rodents, they can then spread the parasite through their fecal matter.
A pregnant woman can contract toxoplasmosis by coming in contact with her cat’s litter box (where the infected parasite would live). If the pregnant woman becomes infected her fetus is at risk for developing serious complications such as blindness, cerebral palsy, and deafness.
However, the chances of this happening are highly unlikely especially if your cat always stays inside and receives regular veterinary check-ups. Plus, toxoplasmosis cysts can also be found other places such as garden soil and sandboxes. Raw meat may also become contaminated with the organism.
How to avoid toxoplasmosis:
• Cooking kills the organism
• Do not handle or eat raw or undercooked meat
• Clean counters, plates and utensils that have had meat on them
• Avoid cross-contamination by using different cutting boards for different types of food (red board for red meat, yellow for poultry and so on). Be sure to clean your cutting boards after each use.
• Keep your cat indoors and away from wild animals
• Let another family member clean the litter box
• If you must clean the litter box, be sure to wear rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. Clean the litter box out as soon as possible every day because it can become infectious within 1 to 5 days.
• Only feed your cat commercially prepared cat food.
If you are concerned about the possibility of toxoplasmosis, you should take your cat to a veternarian to make sure there is no infection. Toxoplasmosis is treatable, so if a woman thinks she might have been exposed, she can get tested and treated if necessary.
–Nolan
Do you have a medical myth you would like busted? Comment and tell us!
That’s sick. It’s like in that movie, “Trainspotting.”
I’ve got a buddy who claims he can get rid a headache by pushing on pressure points behind his ears, on his temples, and on the top of his head. Is that possible?
Rasp Berry,
Thanks for the insight. Yes, I suppose kind of like “Trainspotting.”
Yes, acupressure can be used to help relieve painful headaches.
Here are some examples:
Press really hard on the web of skin between your forefinger and thumb. Hold this position for a minute or slow and then release slowly.
Using your thumbs, gently massage your temples for 20 to 60 seconds. You should be barely touching the skin.
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Thanks again!