What precaution should be taken during pregnancy to avoid potential infections?

Avoiding cat litter during pregnancy is an essential precaution to reduce the risk of potential infections, particularly from a parasitic infection known as toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can be found in cat feces. If a pregnant woman becomes infected with this parasite, it can have serious consequences for the developing fetus, including potential neurological damage or other severe complications.

By steering clear of handling cat litter, expectant mothers can minimize their exposure to this infection. It is recommended that someone else in the household handle the litter box or that the litter box is cleaned daily, as the parasite is typically only infectious for a short time after the feces are excreted.

While avoiding raw meat, using disinfectants, and limiting contact with pets are also important precautions in general for infection prevention, avoiding cat litter specifically addresses the risk from toxoplasmosis in the context of pregnancy, highlighting the importance of targeted precautions in protecting both maternal and fetal health.