Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite that can affect both people and animals. It is common in all parts of the world and can affect people of all ages. 

If you have toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, it can cross the placenta and infect your unborn baby. If your baby is infected, they are at risk of some health problems.

If you are infected with toxoplasmosis in your first trimester, the chance of your baby becoming infected is lower. However, if they are infected, their symptoms are likely to be more severe.

If you are infected later in pregnancy, there's a higher chance your baby will become infected. However, their symptoms will probably be less severe.

Most healthy people do not have any symptoms if they are infected with toxoplasmosis.

Some people develop flu-like symptoms for a few days, such as:    

• fever
• headache
• muscle aches
• swollen glands
• fatigue

After you recover from a toxoplasmosis infection, a small amount of the parasite stays in your body. This will not affect future pregnancies.

Toxoplasmosis can cause the following problems for your baby:

• brain and nervous system problems — such as developmental delay, seizures, hydrocephalus (build-up of fluid in the brain) or microcephaly (an unusually small head)
• premature birth and low birth weight
• liver problems and jaundice
• spleen problems
• vision and hearing loss
• eye infections that can appear at birth or afterwards
• skin rash

Treating toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may make your baby’s symptoms less severe.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite can live in cat faeces (poo). It may be found in rats, mice, birds, pigs, sheep and kangaroos. It can also live in water and soil.

You can get toxoplasmosis if you swallow the parasite. This can happen if you:

• eat raw or undercooked meat
• do not wash your hands after gardening
• drink contaminated water
• eat unwashed vegetables
• come in contact with cat faeces (poo) in soil or sandpits
• handle cat litter
• drink unpasteurised milk

Children can become infected if they eat sand from contaminated dirt or a sandpit.

Toxoplasmosis does not usually spread from person to person. However, if you are pregnant, you can pass it on to your unborn baby.

See your doctor or midwife if you are pregnant and have symptoms of toxoplasmosis. You should also contact your doctor or midwife if you have been in direct contact with cat faeces, raw meat or contaminated soil or water. 

Your doctor can diagnose toxoplasmosis by doing a blood test. Your blood test results can tell you if this is the first time you have been infected or if you have had the infection in the past.

To find out if your unborn baby has toxoplasmosis, your doctor might recommend an amniocentesis.

If you are infected with toxoplasmosis when pregnant, your doctor will recommend antiparasitic medicine. You might need to take a combination of medicines.

If your baby has been infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, they may need to be treated with antiparasitic medicines for the first year of life. 

Your baby's doctor will monitor their vision, hearing and development as they grow up.

If you are pregnant, try to take precautions to prevent getting toxoplasmosis.

Food and hygiene tips

• Avoid handling raw meat. Wear gloves and wash your hands, utensils, benchtop and sink if they touch raw meat. 
• Wash your hands before eating.
• Make sure that any meat you eat is properly cooked. 
• Wash or peel raw fruits and vegetables.
• Do not drink untreated water when travelling.
• Do not eat or drink unpasteurised milk or its products.

Learn more about foods to avoid when pregnant.

Tips if you own a cat

• Feed your cats store-bought or cooked foods.
• Make sure their litter tray is emptied daily and disinfected with boiling water regularly.
• Discourage your cat from hunting or eating animals it finds outdoors — a bell on their collar can help.
• Avoid personally changing cat litter if you are pregnant. If you have to do it yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands well with soap afterwards.

Gardening and sandpit tips

• Wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap after touching soil.
• Cover sandpits when they are not being used.

Read more about food safety during pregnancy on The Royal Women's factsheet.

If you are considering getting a pet and are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, read more on pets in the family.

Languages other than English

SA Health has information about toxoplasmosis in many languages. 

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate near you.

You can find out more about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnancy health at Stronger Bubba Born or watch the How to Have a Safer Pregnancy video.