27 years
I was asked to go for a blood test before getting married. results showed a toxo-negative indicator. family doctor said i should talk about this with a gynecologist. to what extent is this dangerous?
Jun 4, 2013
A toxoplasmosis test is a blood test that checks for antibodies to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Your body's natural defense system (immune system) will make these antibodies only if you have been infected by this tiny parasite
If the blood test is negative this means you have no antibodies to toxoplasmosis, and you're not immune.
For most people, toxoplasmosis is not dangerous and goes away on its own. But if a pregnant woman becomes infected and passes it on to her growing baby (fetus), it can cause blindness and brain damage in the fetus.
You can become infected by eating food such as undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal or by handling an infected cat or its stool (feces). After you have been infected, you will have antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii for the rest of your life, so you cannot be infected again.
In Lebanon, toxoplasma is endemic, 80% of the street cats of Beirut were contaminated. An infected cat implies an infected soil, infected
vegetables, infected sheep......in this issue the test is done prior to marriage but not mandatory
now if you are seronegative (toxo-negative) this means you dont carry the antibodies you are not immune and you should be alert to avoid seroconversion (become contaminated with toxo-positive while pregnant)to avoid the risks to the coming baby
the obstetrician and gynecologist should teach YOU to
- wasH your hands properly before eating,
-to wash fruit and vegetables properly and to peel them well (antiseptic solutions are available, some wash with vinegar, etc.).
-Meat should be well cooked.
-The consumption of raw vegetables in restaurants should be
prohibited.
-No contact with street cats, no contact with the fecal matter of domestic cats.
-Wear gloves to touch soil, sand, and wild grass to avoid potential contamination with cat feces.
-you will have to undergo monthly serologic testing to detect any seroconversion
If the blood test is negative this means you have no antibodies to toxoplasmosis, and you're not immune.
For most people, toxoplasmosis is not dangerous and goes away on its own. But if a pregnant woman becomes infected and passes it on to her growing baby (fetus), it can cause blindness and brain damage in the fetus.
You can become infected by eating food such as undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal or by handling an infected cat or its stool (feces). After you have been infected, you will have antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii for the rest of your life, so you cannot be infected again.
In Lebanon, toxoplasma is endemic, 80% of the street cats of Beirut were contaminated. An infected cat implies an infected soil, infected
vegetables, infected sheep......in this issue the test is done prior to marriage but not mandatory
now if you are seronegative (toxo-negative) this means you dont carry the antibodies you are not immune and you should be alert to avoid seroconversion (become contaminated with toxo-positive while pregnant)to avoid the risks to the coming baby
the obstetrician and gynecologist should teach YOU to
- wasH your hands properly before eating,
-to wash fruit and vegetables properly and to peel them well (antiseptic solutions are available, some wash with vinegar, etc.).
-Meat should be well cooked.
-The consumption of raw vegetables in restaurants should be
prohibited.
-No contact with street cats, no contact with the fecal matter of domestic cats.
-Wear gloves to touch soil, sand, and wild grass to avoid potential contamination with cat feces.
-you will have to undergo monthly serologic testing to detect any seroconversion
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When screening for toxoplasmosis , it is very important to do both IgM & IgG
So to know if you are immune or having the infection now,
So have you done bothe Antibodies?
If both are negative so you are not immune,
I would suggest in that case to try to have the infection before getting pregnant, as it is very dangerous to your fetus if you catch it while pregnant- as very well stated above-
Up to 60% of the population are immune for toxoplasma, the symptoms are very similar to classical flu..
So to know if you are immune or having the infection now,
So have you done bothe Antibodies?
If both are negative so you are not immune,
I would suggest in that case to try to have the infection before getting pregnant, as it is very dangerous to your fetus if you catch it while pregnant- as very well stated above-
Up to 60% of the population are immune for toxoplasma, the symptoms are very similar to classical flu..
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