냥이와 음악과 그리고....소풍

Evidence for the Health Claim

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii , which normally causes minimal symptoms or goes entirely undetected in most humans and animals. Cats spread the parasite via their feces after eating contaminated small animals like birds or rodents. While the cats are rarely affected by the infection, the parasites they expel are potentially dangerous to human pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman cleans an infected cat's litter box, she is exposed to Toxoplasma gondii . If the woman touches her mouth after coming in contact with the parasite, she may become infected and place her fetus is at risk for serious complications, either at birth or later in life.

At or before birth, Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious eye infections or other eye problems, brain damage, or even stillbirth or an aborted fetus. And while many babies infected with toxoplasmosis may not exhibit any symptoms at first, they may eventually suffer from blindness or intellectual disability as a result.

Any cat let outdoors or fed raw or undercooked meat may carry Toxoplasma gondii . Any contaminated feces from cats that have contracted the infection are a danger to a woman’s pregnancy.

Evidence Against the Health Claim

Toxoplasmosis is not only spread in cat feces, but also through contaminated meat. A person is just as likely, if not more likely, to contract the infection by eating infected raw or undercooked meat. Even just handling the meat and failing to wash hands afterward can spread the infection.

Interestingly, if a woman contracts the infection prior to her pregnancy, she becomes immune and will not pass the infection to her fetus during pregnancy. A blood test can confirm if a woman has already been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii .

The chances of most women contracting the infection from their cat are fairly low. First, indoor cats fed commercially-packaged cat food have a very low risk of being exposed to Toxoplasma gondii . Most cats that carry the parasite are outdoor cats who feed on contaminated prey.

Women don't need to avoid cats and certainly don't need to give up their beloved pet if they are a cat owner. A few simple precautions can prevent the spread of the parasite, including special care when cleaning the litter box or avoiding it altogether. If you are pregnant, have someone else clean the litter box. But if you absolutely must do it yourself, you may reduce your risk by wearing disposable gloves and immediately and thoroughly washing your hands when you're finished.

Conclusion

While some cat feces do have the potential to cause serious or even fatal complications in a developing fetus, the fact remains that women do not need to avoid cats altogether during their pregnancy. Staying clear of the litter box will dramatically lower the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Furthermore, expectant mothers should not only be cautious around cat feces, but be careful when handling raw meat as well. The risk of toxoplasmosis infection is higher if pregnant women eat raw or undercooked meat, or handle raw meat without immediately washing their hands.

So when the joyous news of an upcoming arrival is announced, there's no need for Fluffy to pack her bags. Keep her indoors, only feed her prepackaged cat food, and do your best to avoid her litter box.

여기 미국의학자료에서 참고문헌을 통하여, 손만 깨끗히 잘 씼으면 안전하다고 분명히 나와있습니다.

참고문헌

References:

• Dale S. Pregnant women don't need to give up their cats. WGN Radi website. Available at: http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/pet/toxoplasmosis.htm . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Falk AM. The truth about toxoplasmosis. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Column website. November 3, 2003. Available at: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=402 . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Food safety for moms-to-be. US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition website. Available at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Fuoco LW. Pet cats aren't hazard to pregnant women. Pittsburg Post-Gazette website. July 30, 2006. Available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709118-51.stm . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Medical conditions and pregnancy. University of Chicago Hospitals website. Available at: http://www.uchospitals.edu/online-library/content=P01200 . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Pet safety tips: pregnant women And toxoplasmosis. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pregnant.htm . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Pregnancy and toxoplasmosis. The Humane Society of the United States website. Available at: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/pregnancy_and_toxoplasmosis.html . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Toxoplasmosis. Quick Reference: Fact Sheets. March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1228.asp . Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Toxoplasmosis: an important message for women (brochure). US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/ToxoWomen.pdf. Accessed November 10, 2008.
• Why shouldn't pregnant women clean the cat litter box? April 16, 1997. Lansing State Journal website. Available at: http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/041697.html . Accessed November 10, 2008.

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저는 미국에 사는 사람이고, 여기 미국 병원 산부인과 의사도

고양이와 임산부가 함께 사는것에 문제가 없다고 합니다. 고양이 응가를 만질시에 손만 반드시 깨끗히 씻고 그러면 문제없다고 합니다.

그리고, 미국에 두 집 건너 고양이를 키웁니다.