Toxoplasmosis and listeriosis

As many medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy, infections in pregnant women are difficult to treat.

During pregnancy, you are more susceptible to certain food-borne infections. These infections can cause serious harm to your baby's health.

• Therefore, it is very important to avoid certain risky foods during pregnancy and to carefully follow hygiene practices.

Toxoplasmosis

This is a parasitic vector disease (toxoplasma gondii) which is widespread in the animal kingdom. Cats are common carriers of the infection, and can pass it on to humans. The parasite, may contaminate soil, water, fruit and vegetables through the cat's excrement. Therefore, always wash your fruit and vegetables thoroughly. The parasite can also be ingested by plant-eating animals and stored in their muscle tissue. The infection can then be passed on to humans who eat raw or undercooked infected meat. Because toxoplasma gondii is inactivated by heat, please ensure that your meat is cooked through.

Toxoplasmosis is usually benign in adult humans. However, in pregnant women the parasite may cross the placenta and infect the foetus. The severity of damage to the foetus depends on which stage of pregnancy you are at, and tends to be more serious right at the beginning of the pregnancy. Possible outcomes include miscarriage and brain damage.

At your first doctor's appointment, you will have a blood test to check whether you have immunity to the infection.

Listeriosis

Listeriosis is caused by a common bacterium called listeria monocytogenes which can be found in many places including soil, plants and salad. Animals can be listeriosis carriers without showing any symptoms, and therefore animal-based products can be contaminated. Food is the source of most human infections (unpasteurised milk, yoghurt and cheese, undercooked meats and raw vegetables). Most people who consume food containing listeria do not become ill. However, those with a weak immune system such as the ill or elderly can sometimes develop a serious infection such as septicaemia or meningitis.

The illness may cause flu-like symptoms, headache, fever, muscle pain and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting. These symptoms may not appear for a few days or even weeks.

A blood culture can be used to diagnose septicaemia.

Even if the pregnant woman does not feel unwell, the disease can still pass through the placenta to the foetus. This can cause early labour, miscarriage or serious health problems such as meningitis in the newborn. Infection of the foetus can be prevented through early treatment of the mother with antibiotics.

Listeria is a bacterium which can survive in temperatures close to zero. It can therefore still spread in food stored in the refrigerator. It is destroyed through pasteurisation or cooking. Eat prepared foods quickly to avoid a new contamination.

Good hygiene practices

• Always follow good hygiene practices. Wash your hands regularly.

• Maintain strict refrigerator hygiene. Regularly clean your refrigerator and ensure that the temperature is set to between 4 and 7°C.

• Consume food as soon as it is ready.

• Comply with use-by dates. Never consume a food if you think it may not be fresh or safe to eat.

• Eat well-cooked meat only. Avoid undercooked meat, kebabs, meat fondues, and cooked meats served cold (such as pâté).

• Avoid raw or undercooked egg (fried eggs, omelettes etc.)

• Do not consume unpasteurised milk, or yogurt or cheese made with unpasteurised milk (including some types of camembert, brie and feta). Be careful Take care with homemade products.

• Be careful with salads prepared in advance.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling raw food. Clean your work surface and kitchen utensils with soap.

• Carefully peel all fruit and vegetables and rinse them with plenty of water. Don't forget to wash aromatic herbs and sprouted seeds.

• Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly after stroking a cat. Avoid all contact with cat litter or excrement.

• Wear gloves for gardening, and wash your hands thoroughly once you have finished.