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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Toxoplasmosis testing

20 replies

lulu25 · 29/06/2006 20:25

Does anyone know how I can get tested for toxoplasmosis antibodies?

I would be looking forward to the next six months a bit more if I could start interacting with the cat and eating ham again. Esp as the cat has taken to her banishment by scratching on the bedroom door/window all night and keeping us awake.

NHS don't do it (the doctor was quick to reassure me that it shouldn't be a problem as long as I cooked meat properly, etc, but that wasn't really the point). I don't mind paying but I'm not quite sure where to go.

OP posts:

kayzed · 29/06/2006 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foundintranslation · 29/06/2006 20:29

Try Tommy's (www.tommys.org or org.uk, I think) - they might be able to help.
FWIW if your cat goes outdoors and/or eats raw meat she's probably infected you with it before your pregnancy so you're quite likely to be safe. I also don't think touching her is a problem as long as you wash your hands afterwards - it's the litter that's dangerous.

Olihan · 29/06/2006 20:30

The risk of toxoplasmosis transmission from cats is really small. I've got 2 cats and haven't changed the way I play with them, stroke them etc in any of my 3 pregnancies. I think the biggest risk from cats is the litter trays because the bug is transmitted through their feaces (sp?). As long as you either avoid emptying the litter tray altogether or wear gloves to do it then you'll be absolutely fine.
I also remember reading somewhere that adult cats are immune to it because it's something they get and transmit as kittens. I'm sure someone will be along who knows whether that's right or wrong.
TBH, I think you're worrying yourself over nothing. Enjoy your pregnancy, enjoy your cat and wash your hands after you've stroked it.

PanicPants · 29/06/2006 20:30

I was tested on teh NHS. I went to the midwife and said I was really worried about it, and that I'd come into contact with a friends cat who'd scratched me.

She thought I may have had it already but when I was tested I was -ve.

If you have cats, you probably have had it so it won't be a problem. But if I was you I'd go to the midwife and tell her you touched some cat poo while you had a cut and are really worried.

morocco · 29/06/2006 20:32

I don't know how you would go about getting tested - did you ask your gp if you can get a private prescription type thing done? note of caution thought - if the results come back as no antibodies will that make you feel more worried or will you have monthly blood tests?
I had monthly blood tests for toxoplasmosis as I had both ds's abroad and annoyingly didn't have the antibodies. It's not common in the UK I thought??

foundintranslation · 29/06/2006 20:33

I think once cats have had it they're usually immune, rather than them all getting it as kittens - and it's pretty easy for them to get it.
I also remember a statistic that only about 2% of cats are shedding the organism at any one time.

foundintranslation · 29/06/2006 20:34

BTW I was tested at 6 and (I think) 20ish weeks (I'm not in the UK though so can't help you on how to get tested). Was negative both times.

Original poster

lulu25 · 29/06/2006 20:36

I think there's probably a good chance I'm immune anyway, from years of living with cats...but if I could only make sure then I could eat ham with gleeful abandon AND get a good night's sleep...

OP posts:

SenoraPostrophe · 29/06/2006 20:36

does your cat hunt? if not (like ours doesn't) then it is even more unlikely that she'll have it, and even less likely that you'll get it because you wash your hands after changing her litter tray, right?

SenoraPostrophe · 29/06/2006 20:37

sorry if this is patronising, but you do know it's only parma-type ham you can't eat don't you? normal ham is fine.

Olihan · 29/06/2006 20:38

This might put your mind at rest to start with

SenoraPostrophe · 29/06/2006 20:39

I didn't know that until a few weeeks ago either. have eaten parma ham lots through two pregnancies - well, through my life in fact - and never caught toxoplasmosis. they test for it routinely in spain for some reason so i know I haven't had it. think the danger is waaay overstated.

Original poster

lulu25 · 29/06/2006 20:41

My cat hunts... but also poos in the garden so litter tray not a problem.

And yes I know it's only parma type ham but am massive food snob and only eat raw stuff anyway.

Oh and Morocco good point. I don't think I would panic if I came back negative, because I haven't done anything risky and would just carry on in the same way.

My poor cat thinks I don't love her any more.

OP posts:

Olihan · 29/06/2006 20:41

And this . From what it says here it's practically impossible to catch it from cats.

Original poster

lulu25 · 29/06/2006 20:45

Ooh I like that article Olihan. Thanks.

OP posts:

oops · 29/06/2006 20:50

Message withdrawn

Gemmitygem · 30/06/2006 03:58

I grew up with cats, was fed bonios by my mad aunt throughout childhood (!), also have eaten my own body weight in unpasteurised food, lived in dodgy countries etc, yet tested 'not immune' to toxoplasmosis when I got preg. They test for it as standard prenatal care in belgium where I had a few prenatal tests.

I wouldn't worry too much if you've eaten raw meat once etc, I don't think the risk is huge, just steer clear in general. wish you a happy and healthy preg!

expatmama · 01/07/2006 19:16

i had DS in belgium, and was tested every month as part of routine bloods as i was not immune. they are more uptight about it in belgium as there is a higher incidence of it in the soil apparently and as well as avoiding raw/undercooked meat (try ordering well done steak or lamb in belgium - they practically bar you from the restaurant on the spot for offending their culinary sensitivities!), i was even advised not to eat any salad/raw veg throughout my pregnancy (that might explain why i ended up the size of a house then !).

my gynae/obs did however say that for all her fussing, she had only ever had one of her patients contract it during their pregnancy (and the outcome was OK).

she then (helpfully!?) added that she was immune and merrily chomped her way through whatever she wanted when she was pregnant - so that is a great incentive to get tested as if you are immune you can get stuck right back in to the parma ham with a vengeance! (whereas i am pregnant again and still ?ve, and dreaming of parma ham, rare steak, etc, and wondering whether as i don?t live in belgium any more i need to be as careful??)

lotussister · 01/07/2006 19:57

Sorry to be really dumb, but I tested +ve for toxoplasmosis immunity and have still been depriving myself of parma ham, unpasteurised cheeses etc....I was told that there is a risk of listeria, which can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, from eating these foods. Am I wrong? (can I tuck in now?)

Original poster

lulu25 · 02/07/2006 08:34

Toxoplasmosis is some kind of parasite (?) not a bacterium, so you have to stay off the nice cheese (I have been eating it well cooked, according to FSA that's OK, Montgomery cheddar baked with asparagus, mmmmm).

I hadn't heard of listeria being associated with parma ham before, but if you google it you will see that it is (annoyingly, more of that "just to be on the safe side" nonsense as opposed to actual evidence/stats).

Decent ham is so dry and salty I can't really see it being home to many microorganisms (same applies to hard unpasteurised cheese).

So it's up to you whether you want to risk it.

I have had some cooked on pizza, and it was OK but a waste of good ham really.

OP posts:

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