Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease which can be contracted from cats, especially through contact with the excreta (so always use gloves when changing your cat’s litter), or through eating contaminated raw animal foods. It can have extremely serious effects on foetal health, especially if contracted during the first trimester, although the disease is less likely to cross the placenta at this stage. If it does, however, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. If infection occurs later in preg­nancy, the chances of the baby being infected are greater, but the effects are not as severe. The child may be born alive, but with a high risk of hydrocephalus (excess fluid on the brain), brain lesions (scarring of brain tissue) and retinochoroiditis (damage to the retina). Overall, the chance of a child being infected through the mother is 40 per cent, with 10 per cent of these babies being seriously affected.

A blood test can show present infection or immunity (through past infection). If infection is detected during pregnancy, it can be treated with the homoeopathic nosode and immune supportive herbs such as Echinacea with Garlic and vitamin C, just as with the genito-urinary infections.

An existing infection does not pose as great a risk as one which is first contracted after conception. There are some antibiotic drugs which can be used for this condition even during pregnancy, though there may be some side effects. More information is available from the Toxoplasmosis Trust in the UK

It is preferable to diagnose and treat this disease before conception, when herbal treatment can include remedies contra-indicated during Pregnancy. It is usually then possible to avoid the rather aggressive antibiotic therapy otherwise required.

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