What are the signs of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?

Most people don’t show symptoms. But you might have flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches, swollen glands, or tiredness. In rare cases, it can affect your brain and cause confusion or blurred vision.

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

It can be diagnosed using a blood test to detect if you’ve had it in the past or have a current infection. If needed, your doctor might suggest more tests, like an amniocentesis or an ultrasound, to check your baby’s health.

Can I breastfeed if I have toxoplasmosis?

Yes. The parasite isn’t found in breast milk, so it’s safe to breastfeed. Just make sure your doctor knows so they can guide you accordingly.

What is Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite. It’s usually harmless for most people, but it can pose serious risks during pregnancy. If you get infected for the first time while pregnant, the parasite can pass to your baby through the placenta. This makes regular check-ups and prenatal care even more important.

What is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. This parasite primarily lives in cats but can infect other animals and humans, too. For most healthy people, the infection doesn’t cause noticeable problems and may go undetected. However, if you’re pregnant, it can be risky because the parasite can pass to your unborn baby through the placenta and potentially cause serious health issues.

Why is Toxoplasmosis Dangerous in Pregnancy?

Catching toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can lead to complications for your baby. There might be an increased risk of:

Miscarriage or stillbirth.
Serious health problems for your baby, such as brain damage, vision loss, or other developmental issues.

If you had toxoplasmosis more than a few months before getting pregnant, your body likely developed immunity, which protects your baby. The risk is higher if you contract it during pregnancy in the later stages. Although early infections can lead to more severe outcomes for the baby.

How Can You Catch Toxoplasmosis?

You can get toxoplasmosis by coming into contact with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. These are a few ways you can catch it during pregnancy:

Eating raw or undercooked meat that’s contaminated.
Consuming cured, dried, or smoked meats like salami.
Eating raw oysters, clams, or mussels.
Drinking unpasteurised goat’s milk or eating products made from it.
Handling soil or sand contaminated with cat faeces, such as during gardening.
Touching cat faeces, for example, when changing a litter box, and then touching food.
Consuming unwashed fruits or vegetables that have been in contact with contaminated soil or cat faeces.
Drinking untreated water that contains the parasite.

You can’t catch toxoplasmosis from direct contact with someone who has it or from simply stroking a cat. The parasite spreads through specific exposures, mainly linked to contaminated food, soil, or cat faeces.

How to Reduce the Risk of Catching Toxoplasmosis

Preventing toxoplasmosis is all about avoiding exposure to the parasite. These are some practical steps you can take:

Make sure to wash your hands properly before preparing or eating food.
Clean knives, chopping boards, and surfaces after handling raw meat.
Wash fruits and vegetables well to remove any soil or contamination.
Cook all meat thoroughly until there’s no pink or blood visible.
Use gloves when gardening and wash your hands afterwards.
Avoid eating raw or cured meats.
Don’t drink unpasteurised goat’s milk or eat products made from it.
Stay away from pregnant sheep or lambs, as they can carry the parasite.

If you have a pet cat:

Request someone else to change the litter box if possible.
If you must clean it, wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
Change the litter box every day, as the parasite takes several days to become infectious in cat faeces.
Don’t feed your cat raw or undercooked meat.
Keep your cat indoors to reduce its chance of picking up the parasite.

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, so you might not even know you have it. However, some people experience flu-like symptoms, including:

Fever or high temperature.
Body aches.
Headaches.
Tiredness.
Feeling sick or having a sore throat.
Swollen glands.
A skin rash.

In rare cases, more serious symptoms can occur, such as:

Blurred vision.
Slurred speech.
Unsteady walking.
Confusion.

Contact your doctor urgently if you notice any of these symptoms during pregnancy. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have toxoplasmosis, but it’s worth getting checked.

Diagnosing Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is diagnosed through specific tests:

Blood test: A blood test checks for antibodies (IgM and IgG) to determine if you have an active or past infection. IgM antibodies appear soon after infection and may persist for months or years. IgG antibodies show up within 1 to 2 weeks, peak within 12 weeks to 6 months, and usually stay detectable for life. A test showing both IgM and IgG can be tricky to interpret, so repeat testing after 2 to 3 weeks may be needed to confirm a recent infection. An IgG avidity test can help pinpoint if the infection happened within the last 5 months.
Amniocentesis: Your doctor may suggest amniocentesis if you’re diagnosed with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. It is usually recommended after 18 weeks of gestation and at least 4 weeks after a suspected infection to reduce the chances of false-negative results. This involves taking a sample of amniotic fluid to check if the parasite has passed to your baby. It doesn’t show the severity of the infection, but confirms if the baby is affected.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan may be offered to look for signs of infection in the baby, such as intracranial calcifications, microcephaly, or hydrocephalus.
Brain scan: A brain scan may be done in rare cases if you have a weakened immune system and symptoms suggest brain involvement (like confusion).

Treating Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy

The following treatment options can help reduce the risk to your baby:

Antibiotics: You may be prescribed a macrolide antibiotic that concentrates in the placenta to prevent the parasite from reaching your baby. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dosage and explain when and how to take it.
Anti-parasitic medicines: Your doctor might suggest anti-parasitic medications if tests confirm your baby is infected. These are used cautiously due to potential risks like bone marrow toxicity, especially in the first trimester.
Calcium folinate: This supplement, which is similar to folic acid, is often given during treatment. It helps counter the effects of anti-parasitic medicines that can interfere with folic acid absorption, which is important for your baby’s development.

Treatment may continue for the rest of your pregnancy, and you might need hospital care if you’re very unwell. Treatment can lower the chance of your baby developing serious problems, though it may not fully prevent infection.

Chances of Baby Being Infected

The chance of your baby getting toxoplasmosis depends on when you’re infected during pregnancy:

Early pregnancy: The risk of transmission is low (less than 6 per cent). But if the baby is infected, the effects are often more severe, increasing the risk of miscarriage or serious health issues.
Later pregnancy: The risk of transmission rises (60 to 81 per cent in the third trimester). Although babies infected later are more likely to be asymptomatic at birth, they may develop issues later.

Is it Safe to Breastfeed with Toxoplasmosis?

Yes, it’s safe to breastfeed if you have toxoplasmosis. The Toxoplasma gondii parasite has never been found in breast milk, so there’s no risk of passing it to your baby this way. Tell your doctor you’re breastfeeding so they can ensure any medications you’re taking are safe for your baby.

Will Toxoplasmosis Affect Future Pregnancies?

You won’t pass the infection to your baby in future pregnancies if you’ve had toxoplasmosis and your immune system is healthy. Once you’ve had the infection, you’re usually immune, which protects future pregnancies from the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is rare but can have serious consequences. That’s why it’s important to take certain steps to prevent it. Talk to your doctor about getting tested if you’re worried about exposure or experiencing any of its symptoms. If diagnosed, treatment options are available to help protect your baby.

FAQs on What is Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy?

What are the signs of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?
Most people don’t show symptoms. But you might have flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches, swollen glands, or tiredness. In rare cases, it can affect your brain and cause confusion or blurred vision.
How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?
It can be diagnosed using a blood test to detect if you’ve had it in the past or have a current infection. If needed, your doctor might suggest more tests, like an amniocentesis or an ultrasound, to check your baby’s health.
Can I breastfeed if I have toxoplasmosis?
Yes. The parasite isn’t found in breast milk, so it’s safe to breastfeed. Just make sure your doctor knows so they can guide you accordingly.