Cats and Parasites for Humans: What You Need to Know

Cats can carry parasites that can be transmitted to humans, such as Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite can infect up to 40% of the global population.

If you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, it's essential to take precautions around your cat to avoid infection.

Cats can also carry other parasites like hookworms and tapeworms, which can be transmitted through contact with contaminated feces or contaminated soil.

Up to 1 in 3 people are infected with the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis worldwide.

Most people who are infected don't have any symptoms, which can be a relief for those who have cats as pets.

You might be wondering how cats contribute to the spread of this parasite. The truth is, cats are the primary carriers of toxoplasmosis.

The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is a common finding in cat feces, which can contain millions of oocysts.

See what others are reading: What Causes Cats to Go into Heat?

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans can vary depending on whether it's a new infection, a reactivation, or present at birth. Most people don't feel sick, but you might have flu-like symptoms like fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Acute toxoplasmosis symptoms can also include painful, swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits, sore throat, and enlarged liver and spleen. Ocular toxoplasmosis is a rare symptom.

To diagnose toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. They may order blood tests, biopsies, imaging, a lumbar puncture, or amniocentesis if you're pregnant.

Some common tests used to diagnose toxoplasmosis include blood tests, which look for antibodies to T. gondii, and imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs. A biopsy may also be performed to look for signs of the parasite in tissue samples.

What Is a Zoonotic Disease?

A zoonotic disease is a type of illness that can be passed from animals to humans. Hookworms and roundworms are two examples of zoonotic parasites that can infect cats and be transmitted to people.

Hookworms can enter the human body through the skin, while roundworms can be ingested accidentally or infect internal organs and eyes. Each year, about 700 people in the United States lose vision in one eye due to this condition.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends regular deworming and fecal examinations for all cats to prevent zoonotic infections.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an infection from the parasite T. gondii, which humans get by accidentally eating something contaminated with the parasite.

The parasite initially enters your body and your immune system fights it off, but not before it makes small sacs called cysts in your body where it can live in a dormant state for long periods of time.

These cysts can break open periodically, causing your body to fight off the infection again, usually without any symptoms.

However, if your immune system is weakened, these ruptured cysts can cause a new case of toxoplasmosis, also known as reactivation.

On a similar theme: How to Keep Cats off Your Bed?

Acute toxoplasmosis symptoms can be quite varied, but most people don't feel sick at all.

Fever is one of the possible symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis, along with fatigue and muscle aches.

Painless, swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits can also occur.

A sore throat is another possible symptom, and in some cases, you might experience an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly).

Ocular toxoplasmosis is a rare but possible symptom, although it's not explicitly stated what this entails.

If you're scratched by a cat who's infected with Bartonella, you might develop swollen lymph nodes and a fever, which is known as cat scratch disease.

To diagnose toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms. They may also order various tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Blood tests are almost always performed to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Your provider uses a needle to take blood from your vein, which they then send to a lab to look for antibodies to T. gondii.

A biopsy may be ordered in rare cases, where your healthcare provider takes a small amount of tissue and sends it to a lab to look for signs of T. gondii.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you have toxoplasmosis in your brain, they may have a CT scan or MRI performed. This is where you lie down in a machine that takes pictures of your brain.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you have toxoplasmosis in your brain or spinal cord, they may perform a lumbar puncture. This involves using a needle to draw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your lower back.

If you're pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may recommend an amniocentesis. This involves using a small needle to collect cells from the fluid surrounding the fetus.

If you're pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may also recommend an ultrasound. This can't diagnose toxoplasmosis on its own, but it can show changes to the fetus's brain that could indicate an infection.

Here are some of the tests that may be ordered to diagnose toxoplasmosis:

Cats often don't show any symptoms of toxoplasmosis, so it's essential to ask your veterinarian if you have questions about it in your pet cat.

For pets that do show symptoms, they can range from mild to severe, but it's crucial to consult a vet for an accurate diagnosis.

Like humans, cats can be asymptomatic carriers of toxoplasmosis, making it difficult to determine if your pet has it.

A veterinarian can perform tests to determine if your pet has toxoplasmosis, so don't hesitate to schedule an appointment if you're concerned.

Additional reading: Why Am I so Attached to My Cat?

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite T. gondii, which can be found in cat feces. It's a good idea to practice standard hand hygiene after cleaning the litter box, and wear gloves while gardening.

Cats often don't show any symptoms of toxoplasmosis, but they can still pass the infective organism in their stool. This makes it essential to ensure someone else cleans the litter box daily if you're expecting.

Broaden your view: Changing Cat Litter Brand Make Cat Sick

If you're pregnant and haven't previously been exposed to toxoplasma organisms, becoming infected can have serious effects on the baby. So, it's best to have someone else handle cat litter duties.

You can decrease the risk of toxoplasmosis by washing your hands thoroughly before cooking and eating, and not allowing children to place dirty objects in their mouths.

Ringworm is a skin disease that can be transmitted from cats to people, but is not caused by a worm.

Cats infected with ringworm usually have scaly patches of skin with hair loss.

Immunocompromised people, the young, and the old are most at risk of catching ringworm from a cat.

Prolonged treatment with oral and topical medication, as well as environmental decontamination, is sometimes required to clear the disease in cats.

If your cat has ringworm and a person in the household develops skin lesions, call your physician.

Toxoplasmosis is treated with a combination of anti-parasitic medicines and antibiotics, which stop T. gondii from growing and reproducing in your body.

Folinic acid is given during toxoplasmosis treatment to reduce the side effects of the anti-parasitic medications. This is especially important because toxoplasmosis treatment can only work when parasites are active, and it can't get rid of the cysts the parasites leave in your body.

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, may need to stay on treatment for a long time to make sure the active parasites have been destroyed. Treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis can last up to a year.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is the drug of choice to prevent toxoplasmosis, but not for treating active disease. A 2012 study showed a promising new way to treat the active and latent form of this disease using two endochin-like quinolones.

The medications prescribed for acute toxoplasmosis include pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, clindamycin, and spiramycin. Spiramycin is recommended for pregnant women to prevent the infection of their children.

Here are the medications typically used to treat toxoplasmosis:

In people with latent toxoplasmosis, the cysts are immune to these treatments, as the antibiotics do not reach the bradyzoites in sufficient concentration.

If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant, it's essential to talk to your healthcare provider about preventing toxoplasmosis in yourself or your future child.

If you have a compromised immune system, you're at a higher risk of getting toxoplasmosis, so contact your provider right away if you have symptoms.

If you have a compromised immune system, it's crucial to take extra precautions to prevent toxoplasmosis, such as taking special precautions and preventing transmission during pregnancy.

To prevent toxoplasmosis, consider the following:

If you're pregnant or have a compromised immune system, it's essential to talk to your healthcare provider about preventing toxoplasmosis in yourself or your future child.

People with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV or cancer, or taking immune-suppressing medications, are more susceptible to toxoplasmosis complications.

If you've had toxoplasmosis in the past, the parasite can reactivate and cause problems when your immune system is weakened.

If you have symptoms of toxoplasmosis, especially if you have a compromised immune system, don't hesitate to contact your provider right away.

Here are some specific situations where you should see a healthcare provider:

If you're a cat owner, you might be aware of the potential risks that come with having furry friends at home. Hookworm and roundworm eggs can be passed in a cat's stool and infect humans, so it's essential to take precautions.

You can become infected with hookworms through skin contact with contaminated cat feces, which is why it's crucial to wash your hands thoroughly before cooking and eating. If you have a sandbox in your yard, it's also a good idea to cover it when not in use.

Hookworm and roundworm infections can lead to serious health issues, including vision loss in children. In fact, each year in the United States, approximately 700 people, mostly children, lose vision in an eye due to this condition.

To prevent feline hookworm and roundworm zoonotic infection, make sure to:

By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of zoonotic infection in your household. Regular deworming and fecal examinations are also essential to ensure your cat's health and prevent the spread of parasites.

To prevent parasite infestations, keep your home clean and free of fleas and ticks. Regularly vacuum carpets and mop hard floors to remove parasites and their eggs.

Regular grooming is also essential for detecting parasites early on. Cats with fleas and ticks often exhibit excessive scratching, chewing, and hair loss.

Preventing parasite infestations also involves providing a healthy environment for your cat. Ensure your cat's food and water bowls are clean and free of parasites, and store their food in sealed containers.

For another approach, see: Free Cat Food Battle Cats

If you're pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, follow your healthcare provider's recommendation to reduce the risk of passing it to the fetus.

Pregnant women with toxoplasmosis should prioritize self-care by getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated.

If you have a weakened immune system and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, you and your healthcare provider can make a plan for treating toxoplasmosis while managing any other underlying conditions.

This plan may involve adjusting your medication or taking extra precautions to avoid infection.

By following your healthcare provider's guidance, you can take control of your health and reduce the risks associated with toxoplasmosis.

Pregnancy is a special time, and it's essential to take extra precautions to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you get toxoplasmosis during pregnancy or shortly before getting pregnant, you can pass the parasite through the placenta to the fetus.

Toxoplasmosis is a serious concern during pregnancy, and it's crucial to take steps to avoid it. The parasite can cause vision problems, blindness, developmental delays, and learning differences in your future child.

If you have a cat, make sure to change the litter box daily to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling cat litter or your cat.

To minimize the risk of toxoplasmosis, cook your meat thoroughly and avoid eating undercooked meat, especially pork, lamb, and venison. These types of meat are more likely to contain the parasite.

For another approach, see: Cat Pregnancy

Keeping your home safe for your pets is crucial.

Make sure to store toxic substances, such as cleaning supplies and medications, out of reach of your pets.

Secure any loose wires or cords to prevent electrical shock.

Keep an eye on your pet's food and trash to prevent them from getting into something poisonous.

Regularly clean your home, especially areas where your pets spend a lot of time, to reduce the risk of allergies and skin irritation.

A clean home is especially important for pets with allergies or sensitive skin.

Pet-proofing your home can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort to keep your pet safe and healthy.

Suggestion: Are Water Additives Safe for Dogs