Is it necessary to check for Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy preparation? Learn about!
1. What is Toxoplasma gondii?
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect humans and animals. Humans may experience mild symptoms after being infected with Toxoplasma gondii, but for pregnant women, infection with Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious complications and pose a potential threat to the health of the fetus.
2. Is it necessary to check for Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy preparation?
Whether it is necessary to check for Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy preparation is a common question. According to expert advice, women preparing for pregnancy should consider getting tested for Toxoplasma gondii. This is because if a woman becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy, she may pass the infection to her fetus, causing toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can cause a range of health problems in infants, including neurological and visual damage.
3. Routes of Toxoplasma infection
Toxoplasma gondii is mainly transmitted through three ways: food transmission, contact transmission and Vertical spread.
1. Food transmission: eating uncooked or unwashed food containing Toxoplasma gondii eggs, such as raw meat and raw vegetables and unpasteurized fruits, etc., which may lead to infection.
2. Contact transmission: Direct contact with feces, soil or animal fluids (such as cat feces) of infected persons may also cause infection.
3. Vertical transmission: An infected woman may pass the infection to her fetus during pregnancy, causing fetal infection.
4. Toxoplasma examination methods during pregnancy preparation
Pregnancy preparation stageWomen in this age group can take a blood test to check whether they are infected with Toxoplasma gondii. This test is often called a Toxoplasma antibody test. It can detect the presence of specific antibodies in the body to determine whether it is infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
Specifically, Toxoplasma antibody detection can be divided into IgG and IgM antibody detection. IgG antibodies exist in the body for a long time, indicating that you have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii. IgM antibodies refer to antibodies produced after recent infection, indicating that you may have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii in the near future.
5. Risks and Prevention of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection
Infection with Toxoplasma gondii does not always harm the fetus, but prevention is still very important for pregnant women. Here are some measures to prevent Toxoplasma infection:
1. Avoid eating raw meat : Try to avoid eating raw meat, especially raw pork, raw mutton and raw fish.
2. Keep food safe: Cook food until fully cooked and avoid using unpasteurized fruits and vegetables.
3. Pay attention to hygiene habits: wash hands frequently, especially after contact with soil, After animals and animal waste.
4. Avoid contact with cat feces: If you have a pet cat, please try to avoid direct contact with cat feces, or wash your hands promptly after contact.
5. Regular check-ups: Perform Toxoplasma antibody testing before pregnancy to Know your infection status.
6. Conclusion
Whether it is necessary to check for Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy preparation is a question worthy of attention. Although not all women need to undergo Toxoplasma gondii examination, considering the potential harm that Toxoplasma gondii infection may cause to the fetus, women preparing for pregnancy should take corresponding examinations and preventive measures under the guidance of a doctor. By taking the right precautions, infection can be reducedeliminate the risk of worms and lay a good foundation for pregnancy preparation and health during pregnancy. If you have any questions, please seek advice from your doctor or professional body.
