Toxoplasmosis is an affection caused by a cellular parasite known as Toxoplasma gondi. When this parasite affects a human being, different organs can be affected, there being different clinical signs. It often affects the airways, even leading to pneumonia. Most of the times, it takes the form of a cold which only lasts for a few days. However, doctors cannot identify it without a complete blood test. Usually, this parasite acts very slowly, but this is not the case with kids or newly-born babies.
If a pregnant woman comes into contact with toxoplasmosis, it is possible that the toxoplasma affects the baby at birth. This is one of the most unfortunate situations and consequences this disease can lead to because the damage with kids is permanent. It is recommended that women do a systematic serology before getting pregnant because the toxoplasma can be identified if the serology is negative. If you don't do it in time, you might even be faced with the risk of a lethal infection.
The global risk of transmission with toxoplasmosis is of approximately thirty per cent and ranges from one per cent to ninety per cent during the pregnancy. There are procedures which can lower this risk, but once it reaches the baby, you should recur to an abortion or to go to a doctor so that they can put you on spiramycin for two weeks.
About one hundred forty babies are affected by this disease in the European Union only. It is estimated that approximately another one hundred forty babies are infected when born, but the signs only appear later on in their life.
No comments:
Post a Comment