Toxoplasmosis

[Elina04]

Has anyone had toxoplasmosis and how did you deal with it?

My friend had it and was given antibiotics, all while in the early stages of pregnancy. She had suffered two mcs before, but after taking the antibiotics, has had two children

have you got it?

Thank you for your reply,
I have IgG positive kai I am waiting for another test result in 2 weeks. I am very anxious and I don't have a problem until now. I am 16 weeks pregnant.

I had never really heard of it with my 1st pregnancy in the uk, but I live in France now & am 26 weeks, and over here they are obsessed with it. As most French women are apparantly immune (due to diet) it is unusual for anyone not to be immune, so when they tested me & found out I had no immunity they were really shocked & I have to be tested every 2 weeks as a matter of course, the results show as IgG (more than 10 signifies an infection) and IgM (more than 1 signifies infection)I asked what would happen if I contracted it now and was told it can attack the unborn babies' brain in some way, but if they are aware of the infection in good time it can be treated with antibiotics before that happens - hence the fortnightly tests. Hope it works out ok for you and good luck with the pregnancy.

I started my tests in UK and then moved to Spain and they seemed pretty obsessed with it here too. A bit shocked that I hadn't already been tested in the UK.

In Greece, where I am from, it is a standard procedure to do it in the begging of every pregnancy 6-8 weeks. Here I had to ask for it and now that the results came out (IgG) I am 16 weeks. Wouldn't be better to do it in the begging? and not to wait until 13 week to do the blood tests????? I thought the medical system it would be better here...!
I also have to wait 15-20 days for the result of IgM!!! I don't understand why I have to wait that long, every day I think counts.

How do you find out that you have it? I have two cats and was worried about it in the beginning but have tried to put it out of my mind.

I also lived inSpain in tmy first two pregnancies and they are likewise obsessed with it and test you every trimester. Despite having been brought up around cats, I don't have the immunity but they were happy jsut to test for it every trimester. If one of tests shows that you have developed it, they put you on antibiotics.
It's very rare in the UK (because we are an island) hence the lack of testing. My friend who had it actually got it on a farm in Poland.

it can cause miscarriage in th early stages (hence my friend's two ealy miscarriages) but is easy to treat once detected. My friend's was detected and treated during her third (successful pg).

In spain they were much more concerned about the risk of contracting it from unwashed salad than animals. I mentioned my lack of immunity to my mw here as I have an allotment and do loads of gardening (where there are lots of foxes) and she said to be be v vigilant with wearing gloves, washing hands etc and to watch out for flu-like symptoms.

Best of luck, where do you live?

I asked to do the test for toxoplasmosis, I didn't have any symptoms that is most frecuent. If I hadn't have asked for it they don't tell you to do it. It is very important to wash your hands very well and also the fruit and vegetables and not to eat raw meet and ham.
I am living in North London.

Me? I live in England. I have always been careful never to change the cats litter tray (brilliant excuse to make OH always do it ) Which is why I managed to dismiss the worries aboout it.

I was just asking where you are because it's pretty rare to get it in the UK, even from cats, though I think sheep carry it quite often.

In Spain they prefer you to wash all salad in a bleach solution (really!) and to refuse salad in a restaurant etc, which I thought was a bit extreme.

Best of luck Elina, I hope you get some answers soon. Am feeling a bit paranoid about it now myself.

Thank you very much.
It isn't rare it is only question of money...
and it is also question of information and if they give it to you!

Sorry, I meant contracting toxoplasmosis is rare here rather than the test.

I don't believe it's ever offered here unless you specifically request it.