Just tested positive for toxoplasma

[Tuckerella]

Hi there, I wanted to start a new thread because most threads mentioning toxoplasmosis are very light on actual personal cases of testing positive with women expressing paranoia or proffering dietary advice. Right now I don't need people telling me what to eat etc and where I might have contracted it.... That horse has bolted. I jam waiting an agonising 14 working days for my bloods to be analysed further (somewhere in Cardiff apparently) to see if my +ive is a throw back to an older infection. I have 2 children (3&5) and one subsequent unexplained ectopic. This is therefore technically my 4th pregnancy. Despite having had cats at the time (which i have not in a few years) i tested negative. I must have contracted it sometime since the birth if my son in early 2010... or -and i hope not- recently which might make it active in my current pregnancy. What I'd really appreciate is anyone who has had an active infection during pregnancy, particularly early and mid pregnancy and what they did about it. I am normally very hard to ruffle but am quite concerned of the risk of birth defects - albeit slight- that this carries. Any thoughts much appreciated.

[SomethingOnce]

No personal experience of the same situation, sorry, but I didn't want to read and run.

I found the information on the Tommy's site very useful when I was concerned about toxoplasmosis risk.

It's a very worrying situation and the waiting must be awful, but there's a very good chance all will be well. Even if you have an infection, the transmission rate is given as 40% so the odds are in your favour.

[Tuckerella]

Many thanks SomethingOnce for your support / input... 40% Just feels enormously high statistically at this juncture... I will report back.

I spoke to my obstetrician today for the first time since my bloods and he said it was 12 years since he had seen a woman with toxo produce damage in a baby. He also said that the lower the demographic generally the worse the situation whereas healthy women with a good lifestyle fight the parasite well and generally make up the 80% of those who contract it whose babies come out fine. He said I should try to stop worrying as the results would determine the course of action and that he'd consult the best in infectious diseases to deliver the best treatment if required. Fingers crossed and prayers then.

[SomethingOnce]

Take care, will be thinking of you.

[manitz]

hi i have not had this but have had a baby with a severe heart defect. in subsequent pregnancies i was allowed detailed scans before 20 weeks to look for issues that further fetuses may have to see if the random defect was repeated as there is a slightly increased risk of further issues in other pregnancies. if you are worried about birth defects i think the ones with major organs can be identified from about 16 weeks and I suggest you push for a detailed scan with a consultant. I found it enormously reassuring. HTH and sorry to hear you have been worried. x

[Tuckerella]

Many thanks Manitz. I'm sorry you had to deal with this and appreciate your insight. My on said that most damage tends to occur between 16-20 weeks so that is exactly what we'll do. I'll let you all know. Xx

[Tuckerella]

Dear All, thanks for all your support... So the update is that yesterday I got great news, namely that the infection is a minimum of 6 months old so thankfully NOT contracted during pregnancy. I don't have all the paperwork for the details yet but that is the bottom line so I am enjoying not being wracked with anxiety. I wish similar outcomes for others in similar situations.

[Tanlee]

My PhD thesis and subsequent 10 years medical research was on toxoplasma. I also worked with the National toxoplasma centre, which is based in Swansea.

Hope this might make you feel a bit better...
If you have an old infection (ie. you became infected BEFORE you became pregnant), your pregnancy is safe. The majority of people in the uK (approx. 60%) are toxoplasma positive (ie. have been infected at some point in their life). The parasite lives inside us quite happily, and does not cause us any problems generally (unless yu become immunosuppressed - eg. if you become HIV positive). In the case of pregnant women, if you were already infected before becoming pregnant, your immune system will protect the baby. The potential problems arise if you become infected for the first time during pregnancy, as the parasite can pass via the placenta to the developing baby. This can cause problems, but is pretty rare. The further into your pregnancy you are, the less serious the potential problems.

Just read that your infection is pre-pregnancy, so you will be fine. Hope this is useful to others.

[manitz]

hello tuckerella, very good news. hope you have an uneventful pregnancy from now on x

[SomethingOnce]

What a relief for you - I'm so glad to hear all is well.

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy

[Tuckerella]

Many thanks all of you for your support and input. So far so good. 24 weeks and all appears to be normal and healthy, touch wood.

[FamousFiveForever]

Hiya, I have just been tested for Toxoplasma and awaiting results. My cat is negative and not going out anymore. Just hoping all is well. I am 10 weeks today.

There are drugs that can be given to save the fetus fromthe virus.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me. I will update next week.

[FamousFiveForever]

Tuckerella, just seen your update and that you're in the clear. Super!
Great news!

[Lagirl20]

@Tanlee

My PhD thesis and subsequent 10 years medical research was on toxoplasma. I also worked with the National toxoplasma centre, which is based in Swansea.

Hope this might make you feel a bit better...
If you have an old infection (ie. you became infected BEFORE you became pregnant), your pregnancy is safe. The majority of people in the uK (approx. 60%) are toxoplasma positive (ie. have been infected at some point in their life). The parasite lives inside us quite happily, and does not cause us any problems generally (unless yu become immunosuppressed - eg. if you become HIV positive). In the case of pregnant women, if you were already infected before becoming pregnant, your immune system will protect the baby. The potential problems arise if you become infected for the first time during pregnancy, as the parasite can pass via the placenta to the developing baby. This can cause problems, but is pretty rare. The further into your pregnancy you are, the less serious the potential problems.

Just read that your infection is pre-pregnancy, so you will be fine. Hope this is useful to others.

Hi @Tanlee, if you’re still active on these forums do you mind if I message you?