First, you must find a cat that is infected with the organism, Toxoplasma gondii. It's not a bacterium, it's not a fungus, and it's not a virus. It's a protozoan... a tiny, one-celled parasite... sort of like an amoeba but with a different shape.
If you want to know if your cat has it, you must get a veterinarian to test for it. This involves doing a blood test called an "antibody titer." But it takes more than one test. It's not diagnostic unless a series of tests is done over a specific length time. If the test is positive, it means the cat is immune, because antibodies are present to fight off the infection. This is true of humans as well. Therefore, a pre-pregnancy antibody test that yields a positive result means the mother is immune, too. A positive test result does NOT mean you are infected. In fact, it means you are not.
However, if you're not immune, the next thing to do to become infected is to make contact with the parasite's eggs. But not just a touch... you have to eat them. (What?) How does that happen? During the only two weeks in the cat's life when the parasite is shedding its eggs into the host cat's feces, a human must touch them, then somehow get the infectious material into the mouth... and swallow it!
This is more likely with children, of course, as they often put their hands into their mouths as they play in sand or dirt, or somehow get too close to the litter box.
But don't expect results right away. If you do this too soon, the eggs won't mature and you won't be infected. You must wait 1 - 4 days before eating them, when the feces are dried enough for the eggs to be "potent." Scientifically, it's called "sporulated." If you eat a "fresh one," it won't infect you.
This means if you are cleaning the litter box every day, it can't even happen.
But there's more. Other conditions must be met at the same time.
"Ideally," this must be your first cat, preferably a kitten, since they haven't had a chance to develop immunity from several exposures yet. If you've ever owned cats before, or have one now that's been in the family a long time, the chances of infection are actually negligible. Why?
Because you will be immune by now... and so will the cat. Since exposure is rather common, both you and your cat will have had time to develop some immunity to it.
Also, this infection is a one-time thing, so no treatment has been invented, except for humans. Once the parasite has run through its life cycle, it's over. The cat must become infected again to be infectious to others again. But the cat's own immune system will be stronger, and spreading the condition to others is even less likely. In fact, repeated infection, as by cats who hunt and eat infected rodents (the most prevalent host), leads to a form of "natural vaccination," eventually rendering the cat non-infectious. However, this doesn't mean it's OK to let the cat keep getting infected. They could actually become sick from the disease state of Toxoplasmosis and the cat will die.
Now, if you really want to scare yourself and take a chance that the infection will harm your fetus, you must become infected during your second or third trimester of pregnancy. This is the time when you might have some transplacental transmission of the parasite into the baby's bloodstream, and on to the small intestine, where the "oocysts" (the parasite's eggs, pronounced Oh-Oh-Sists) can hatch and grow. However, even with such infection, the odds are still greatest that the baby will be born normally and totally healthy.
Just when you thought this was the end of it, there is yet another condition to be met. It's called immunity. In the event that someone has a very poor immune system, the chance of infection, though small, does exist.
However, while the incidence and the risks of toxoplasmosis are extremely low among healthy humans, it is actually quite high among AIDS victims, who have little or no immune strength at all. Those who have pet cats and come into close contact with them are more likely than healthy people to become infected. But pregnancy has nothing to do with it.
Since companionship is more important at such times, it's probably best to leave these happy relationships alone, offering support by relieving them of those cleanup chores that present the most risk.
But there is yet ONE MORE condition to consider, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with a cat! Just eating undercooked meat can do it, too. In countries where raw foods are common, especially meats, or wherever sanitation is a problem, the risks are, as one might expect, much greater.
The main thing you don't have to do is get rid of your cat.
First, if you exercise care with your pet and keep things clean, there is little to no risk at all.
Second, as for the feral cat problem, if people would stop dumping cats into the woods, the country, or just out the back door to fend for themselves and become feral, that would help, too.
Thirdly, spay and neuter! Can't afford it? Then don't get a cat, or, watch for local spay/neuter clinics where you can get a discount. The reality is, as a society, we can't afford NOT to take proper care of the animals in our homes or communities. And don't forget, until these responsibilities can be met, simply killing them will never be the solution. Whether you like or dislike cats, doing the right thing is... well... the right thing to do.
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