Are cats the real killers on our roads?

**XP@** · 18th January 2006, 10:55

Yup cats as in the cute, furry animals that pester you every time the fridge is opened and insist on bringing presents at 2am.

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii which causes Toxoplasmosis in humans is passed on our furry little friends to somewhere between 30% & 60% of the population. According to a 2002 study Toxoplasmosis causes slowed reactions and decreased attention spans, giving an infected persion 2.6 times the chance of having a vehicle crash.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...i?artid=117239

So the probability is you, or the person sat next to you has it. Oh, and every other person on the road has it...

**Phurrball** · 18th January 2006, 11:03

Most interesting XP@ - nice to see properly cited scientific nomenclature too - no publications outside of scientific literature seem to think it's worth the effort...

Will peruse the article...

**Coyote** · 18th January 2006, 11:08

That's all way over my head

**Mooch** · 18th January 2006, 11:15

Hmm , own two cats (60-120 % chance), perhaps I should ride at the front on group rides. Was that a brake light I saw ......

**WRT** · 18th January 2006, 11:30

So has anyone got a nice, easy (and above all) cheap way to cure oneself of said affliction?

**N4CR** · 18th January 2006, 11:43

From what my mate was talking about it seems it only affects you when you are pregnant or have a very weak immune system (the slowness etc).

**Posh Tourer :P** · 18th January 2006, 11:44

Hmmmm interesting reading...

Thanks for that, it was a needed bit of mental workout....

**Posh Tourer :P** · 18th January 2006, 11:46

Originally Posted by tristank

From what my mate was talking about it seems it only affects you when you are pregnant or have a very weak immune system (the slowness etc).

That would be the acute side of the infection. What the paper is saying is that there is a latent infection that affects you all the time as well, making a small difference, probably notably to your ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

**Colapop** · 18th January 2006, 11:47

Got wto kittys. One is 3 ish and a mean hunter - excellent reactions and attention and the other is 12 weeks. I'm picking that the little 'un will be better than the biggun. So if I get something off either one I reckon I'll be better off!

**Lou Girardin** · 18th January 2006, 12:12

That was on Prime last night. Fascinating stuff, the true meaning of catatonic. Will the cops develop sniffers for cat hair?
And what will the limit be?
Will the charge be, "Driving like a pussy"?

**Grahameeboy** · 18th January 2006, 12:16

Originally Posted by tristank

From what my mate was talking about it seems it only affects you when you are pregnant or have a very weak immune system (the slowness etc).

Yep and actually affects child and there is no cure once infection attacks the body.......my soon to be ex wife has partial blindness cause of it....nasty....avoid gardening, touching cat poos or their bottoms

**SDU** · 18th January 2006, 14:47

Yup it is especially dangerous for unborn babies, not only should a pregnant woman avoid cleaning cat litter trays, she should also wear gloves when gardening and wash her hands after handling a cat, (as we all should) another way you can get Toxoplasmosis is through raw meat, Pregnant woman should wear gloves while cooking and ensure the meat is cooked.
You can be tested for it. Its not all bad, I think if you have already built up an immunity to toxo... prior to getting pregnant you won't pass in onto the foetus.
Is there a Dr in the house? Am I on track right?

Cheers
SDU

**Grahameeboy** · 18th January 2006, 14:50

Originally Posted by serowdownunder

Yup it is especially dangerous for unborn babies, not only should a pregnant woman avoid cleaning cat litter trays, she should also wear gloves when gardening and was her hands after handling a cat, (as we all should) another way you can get Toxoplasmosis is through raw meat, Pregnant woman should wear gloves while cooking and ensure the meat is cooked.
You can be tested for it. Its not all bad, I think if you have already built up an immunity to toxo... prior to getting pregnant you won't pass in onto the foetus.
Is there a Dr in the house? Am I on track right?

Cheers
SDU

On track....my Daughter is immune from Toxo but has Spinal Muscular Atrophy instead....just cannot win eh?