I have Toxoplasmosis!!!!

RachelTLee · January 2016

I am currently 13 weeks pregnant with fraternal twins and just found out from my OB today that my blood test results came back positive for toxoplasmosis. I am freaking out!!! I have 2 indoor cats, my fiance has been cleaning their litter boxes for me so I don't know how they could have it. I guess it's possible. I could have also gotten it from undercooked meat maybe. Anyways, I have to go to a specialist asap so that we know more and know what we can do about it. I guess I'm just looking for someone to calm me down and ease my mind about this. Thanks ladies!

MsBeachNJ · January 2016

I have no experience I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear this & I hope that everything turns out ok for you and your babies!! Please keep us updated!! I'll be thinking of you!

kellz14 · January 2016

From what I heard, just because it is positive in your blood doesn't necessarily mean that you have it right now, you could have had it years ago. And if that's true - you're actually immune to it now. The chances that you've gotten toxoplasmosis in the last few weeks while you were pregnant is possible, but it's pretty slim. Check out this link...

If the blood test is positive, then there are antibodies in your blood. Most of the time, this is because you’ve been exposed to toxoplasmosis and have developed immunity to it. This means it will not affect your baby. In rare cases, it could mean you have caught toxoplasmosis during your pregnancy...

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1461/toxoplasmosis-in-pregnancy#ixzz3wzPcJfQs

RachelTLee · January 2016

This was helpful. Thank you! I'm hoping I'm already immune to it and the babies are ok.

kellz14 · January 2016

no problem, I just prayed that everything will be OK with you and the babies. But don't tell your fiancé that you're probably immune, let him keep scooping the cat litter

stillcozy · January 2016

Hope your concerns ease soon but don't scoop the litter the rest of the pregnancy even if you are immune just to be safe

lfleming84 · January 2016

Hoping all goes well with the specialist for you! I didn't really think much of it my 1st pregnancy, but now I am more aware of touching my cat's paws to check her nails. My hubby always did the litter while I was pregnant before. I try to wash hands or use hand sanitizer much more frequently after petting my kitty.

dolewhipper · January 2016

You are positive for the antibodies, not positive for having the parasite currently. This is VERY different. From baby Center:
"If the blood test is positive, then there are antibodies in your blood. Most of the time, this is because you’ve been exposed to toxoplasmosis and have developed immunity to it. This means it will not affect your baby. In rare cases, it could mean you have caught toxoplasmosis during your pregnancy, which is a risk to your baby. "

Considering you are 13 weeks, and it takes a few weeks for the anti bodies to present itself in your blood after getting the parasite, I would probably say that you had it, fought it off, and now immune. Of course, I'm not a dr, but that's my guess. Great news is, you can't get it again. And if they're indoor, they have a very, very low chance of getting the parasite (I'm thinking you got these cats from a shelter or rescue, and they were outdoor before, and when you got them they had the parasite which is when you got infected.)

Either way I hope what I said calmed your nerves, as I was actually hoping I got a positive for the antibodies when I was tested, since my H is so bad about changing the litter.

BostonBaby1 · January 2016

I have no experience with this, but sending thoughts and prayers.

Serpica · January 2016

Hi @RachelTLee,

I'm not a doctor (so make sure to ask your doc to review results with you) but here's my situation. I have it too, it showed up in my blood test as positive for the IGG antibody. I'm not worried - as others have mentioned, it just means that I got it in the past, and my body created the antibodies for it. So I'm actually immune (but yes, DH is still cleaning that cat litter!!). It's important to know that a large proportion of the population has contracted toxoplasmosis and built antibodies to it (most people just don't know it, there's no reason to get tested unless you're pregnant basically).

The only circumstance in which it is concerning is it you contracted it for the first time while being pregnant. The test for that reads IGM (instead of IGG), I guess it's a different antibody for when it's first active than for when it's past and you're now immune.

So make sure to review the results to confirm that you got tested for the IGG antibody and that everything is ok! I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't the case your doctor would have told you already.

Kalexm · January 2016

Do you hve to be asked to be tested for this or is it automatic? Never heard of it

SparkySunshine · January 2016

I asked to be tested, as I garden in the spring and there are cats outside, and obvious I don't want to plant veggies where there might be cat poo. My midwife said the only real risk is first tri, after that they aren't worried about it

ashleyp3186 · January 2016

I work at a vet clinic and have an indoor cat as well so I was worried about this too. I spoke with my OB in depth about this and she said she would not test me because if it came back positive its impossible to know if it was a previous infection or if it was recent. She said some countries routinely check for this during pregnancy but the US is not one of them. She said if she tested me it would be a question of "would we treat or not" since we wouldn't really know if it was a current infection. I am around tons of random cats per day and I was originally worried but I don't really think about it much anymore. The real concern with cats is fecal material aerosolizing after 24-48 hours. Not really giving advice, but just wanted to hopefully easy your worry by saying I am around a lot if random cats everyday with who knows what. Sending good thoughts your way!

LoganLacey · January 2016

You and the twins are going to be fine

jennyleigh16 · February 2016

Sorry to resurrect a zombie thread but I just realized I'm an idiot. Every few months I go to my local shelter and hang out in their cat room for an hour. I get cuddles, the cats get cuddles, its win/win. Not thinking, I went and did it today. I didn't handle any of their litter but a volunteer was cleaning out their litter boxes while I was sitting nearby, and I obviously handled a bunch of the cats, most of which were strays before they came in. When I got home I threw all my clothes in the washer and washed my hands right away but now I'm paranoid. Does anyone know if toxoplasmosis is spread through skin contact only or airborne as well? Dr Google doesn't have a clear answer. I'll discuss testing with my dr at my next appointment but that isn't until mid-March and I'm freaking out a little bit in the meantime. I'm relatively certain I was never exposed prior to this so I wouldn't have the immunity. Somebody talk me down?

ninji15 · February 2016

@jennyleigh16 I am pretty sure it has to be injested, somehow. So if it was on your hands and you ate or something like that it would pose a risk. Not sure how it would work airborn but I am sure you are fine.

SparkySunshine · February 2016

@jennyleigh16 my midwives told me not to worry after 1st tri. I specifically asked if I could get tested for antibodies so I would know and she told me I would be fine. I also read that if you were to get tested, they would not be able to tell the difference between just getting it and having already had it and your body having immunities.

I think you will be fine, but it is transferred through the air

Want a personalized experience?

I have Toxoplasmosis!!!!

Re: I have Toxoplasmosis!!!!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards