How to Prevent Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan common throughout the world, causes toxoplasmosis, generally a minor illness except for cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. This form of the disease is often severe and often fatal to newborns. Toxoplasmosis is transmitted to humans through improperly cooked food contaminated with the egg or tissue cysts. Pregnant women can also transmit this disease to the fetus. The following steps will show how to prevent toxoplasmosis.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Take particular care to avoid toxoplasma if you are pregnant or immunocompromised. These groups are especially susceptible to toxoplasmosis.

2. Conduct serologic testing of pregnant women routinely to identify fetuses at risk for congenital toxoplasmosis. Infected women must be fully advised of the potential consequences to the fetus.

3. Use blood products and organs that are seronegative for toxoplasma, if feasible, for patients that are also seronegative, especially if they are also immunocompromised.

4. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw meat or soil and before eating or preparing food. Wash fruits and vegetables and any utensils or equipment you are using to prepare raw meat. Thoroughly cook meat by heating it to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F until no longer pink. Cured meats in the United States are generally safe. Do not consume unpasteurized milk and raw eggs.

5. Wear gloves while gardening. Cat litter should be kept away from children's play areas and cat feces should be avoided completely, if possible.

Resources

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