Toxoplasmosis

aporcelainface

In need of some encouraging words or at least optimism... today I got the call back from my bloodwork and I tested positive for toxoplasmosis.

They said they are unsure if it's active or an old case of it, since I've had cats for my entire life. So until I get more bloodwork done I have to just sit with that information.

I know the risks associated with it and what can be done. I'm just beside myself and sad.

Anyone else have experiences with this?

Heron422

Aw I'm sorry I've worked with cats and wildlife my whole life too, but I've never been tested for it. I hope you get good news when all the results come back XOXO

ashin121

I've treated patients with toxoplasmosis during residency (i'm a pharmacist and did a lot of infectious diseases rotations). Those patients were in the ICU and had active toxoplasmosis in which they were very sick.  Wait until the extra bloodwork so they can tell if it's active or not. Do you have any symptoms? Did they mainly test for it because you have cats? 

I would get the blood work as soon as you can. they can take days for the hospital to get back the results. 

mayoclinic is a good resource to read https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxoplasmosis/basics/treatment/con-20025859

Hope everything works out. 

aporcelainface

@ashin121 I have 4 cats and one had 6 kittens which were with us up until 1.5 months into my pregnancy. I knew about toxoplasmosis, so when I went to my doctor, I directly requested I be tested for it. They actually weren't going to even test me. I've had no symptoms. The one cat that had the kittens was a stray that we tool in for her first litter, then she got knocked up again within two days and that was her second litter. I'm assuming this is probably from her (or possibly the kittens). It could be an old case, but until I get more blood work done (which I have to wait for the information tomorrow on what to do), I won't know.

Either way I'm just beside myself and scared.

ashin121

aporcelainface said:

@ashin121 I have 4 cats and one had 6 kittens which were with us up until 1.5 months into my pregnancy. I knew about toxoplasmosis, so when I went to my doctor, I directly requested I be tested for it. They actually weren't going to even test me. I've had no symptoms. The one cat that had the kittens was a stray that we tool in for her first litter, then she got knocked up again within two days and that was her second litter. I'm assuming this is probably from her (or possibly the kittens). It could be an old case, but until I get more blood work done (which I have to wait for the information tomorrow on what to do), I won't know. Either way I'm just beside myself and scared.

It's easy for anyone to say not to be scared or to relax, but I know it's hard to. 

There's ways to treat it if it is active. Try not to stress too much for the baby prayers your way. 

ashin121

@aporcelainface : one positive note is that the clinic/hospital knows that you had a positive toxoplasmosis test however they didn't tell you to go to the ER or hospital immediately. They seem to be pretty relaxed about it. You're also not showing symptoms so they might be thinking it's an old one?

willashbaby

I know someone else who tested positive and it was from an old infection. Chances are yours is the same case. I have cats as well but they go outside so I don't change litter. I'm not sure if I was tested but they know I have cats so I will check with them next time.