Toxo fear

[EllaChloe]

Hello everyone! First post here, genuinely hoping to be told I am being completely unreasonable.

I am 13w pregnant (had a MMC about a year ago, and have been trying for a baby for 4+ years) and am thinking of asking my MW to be tested for toxoplasmosis. I am vegan, so I do not eat undercooked meat and have so far been super careful in washing my veggies and fruit and I avoid eating raw vegetables.

However, about 2 weeks ago we had my in-laws staying with us for a little while and my FIL helped a lot in our garden (super grateful about that, mind you). Problem was, he had to be constantly reminded to wash his hands, he did wear gloves but is it completely unreasonable to think that he may have had some soil on his hands from taking off the gloves, then touched something which I then touched and transmitted to myself (have the horrible habit to bite my nails)? I've been quite relaxed tbf, but since yesterday I feel like I have some phlegm in my throat (sorry for TMI) and a very slightly swollen lymph node just under my ear lobe.

I read several threads here about toxo, I guess I am just looking for reassurance that it's a very long shot to be infected that way.

Thank you in advance for any kind words you can spare

Very unlikely you would be affected.

It’s only a risk if you get it for the first time while pregnant and the risk of getting it is very small. Even then there’s again only a small risk of it passing to baby. Toxoplasmosis doesn’t usually show any symptoms so you wouldn’t really know you had it. If you feel like your anxiety around this continues it may be worth getting in touch with the mental health team, midwife can put you in touch, As anxieties can become extreme.

Hi @BeverlyBrook, thank you I think so too but my head can't stop playing the worst case scenario..

Hi @PickledScrump, thank you. I know I have not had it as I tested privately for it after my MC last year (I may have picked it up during the last 10 months of course). I'll be honest, I have an uncontrollable fear of toxo for some reason, so yes it's probably worth speaking with the mental health team. Thank you!

@EllaChloe Think about it this way... youve gone however many years of your life without ever being in touch with it (otherwise youd be immune). So it is EXTREMELY unlikely that you will catch it now!

It is fair to be cautious, but the risk of what you described is absolutely minute!!

Thank you @ASGIRC, I know I'm being mental (partly realised that while I was typing and sounded ridiculous to myself as well).

My mum had it when she was pregnant with my brother. If you are at all concerned speak to your doc about a toxoplasmosis blood test. Not too sure if this is only available privately these days. It is pretty rare I think, particularly here where we are a lot more fond of overcooked than undercooked meat!
I am sure you will be absolutely fine but if you want me to ask her anything about it I will. It was quite a long time ago.

I think it's very unlikely but I do think it's worth speaking to your midwife or Dr to save you worrying.

I had regular blood tests for it at my GP, I think every month. I wasn't immune despite living with cats all my life, and eating veg straight out the ground etc.

I can understand your fear. I am same 😄. I did test privately every 3 months and it helped with my anxiety. NHS will not do it because of "money/value". In my home country all pregnant women have this test at 12, 24, 32 weeks.

Hi all, thank you so much for your lovely messages! I spoke to my MW who referred me to my GP who didn't seem to have any idea why I wanted to be tested, so I booked a private test that I'll do later today and I think I might also choose to do it every couple of months just for my peace of mind.
@Longbarn5 thank you for sharing! May I ask if your brother had any side effects at all from it?
@thisone6 how did you convince your GP?? I need to learn how to do that too 🤣
@WhatTodoALL may I ask you where you're from? I'm from Italy and pregnant mamas are tested very regularly over there so I find it really weird that they don't do the same here. I understand it's considered rare but at the same time it's quite dangerous when caught and mostly asymptomatic?
Something I'll never understand 😕

@EllaChloe I am from Ukraine.

No, my brother was fine. They gave mum a special antibiotic right through the pregnancy and she had a cordiosentisis test at around 20 weeks (like amniotic but blood is taken from the cord) to check whether there was any infection. He was whisked away at birth for more checks then a final blood test at one year but no sign of toxo