How do you read a TORCH test result?
The results are termed either “positive” or “negative.” A positive test result means IgG or IgM antibodies were found for one or more of the infections covered in the screening. This can mean that you currently have, have had in the past, or have been previously vaccinated against the disease.
What is TORCH panel IgG and IgM?
TORCH as an acronym of the infections included in the screening test for Toxoplasmosis; Other agents like including HIV, syphilis, varicella, and fifth disease; Rubella; Cytomegalovirus (CMV); Herpes simplex virus (HSV).
What do I do if my TORCH test is positive?
If you test positive, your doctor can treat it with antibiotics. Fifth disease. This disease is caused by parvovirus B19. It’s seldom a problem for pregnant women or their babies.
How common is TORCH infection in pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant, you can pass it to your unborn child. In fact, CMV is the most common viral infection passed on to babies in the U.S. — about 1 in 150 births. About 1 in 5 babies born with congenital CMV will get sick or have long-term issues from it, including: Hearing and vision loss.
Why TORCH profile test is done?
The TORCH screen is a group of blood tests. These tests check for several different infections in a newborn. The full form of TORCH is toxoplasmosis, rubella cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and HIV. However, it can also contain other newborn infections.
How do you identify a TORCH infection?
Diagnosis
- Newborn and mother. Usually clinical diagnosis is confirmed by appearance of skin lesions. DFA or PCR of fluid collected from blisters or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Serology.
- Fetus: PCR for VZV DNA (in fetal blood, amniotic fluid) and ultrasound to detect fetal abnormalities.
How can I prevent TORCH infection during pregnancy?
Prevention: Some of the vertically transmitted infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy. Rubella and varicella-zoster can be prevented by vaccinating the mother prior to pregnancy.
What causes TORCH infection in pregnancy?
Causes. TORCH Syndrome results from one of the TORCH agents having crossed the placenta during pregnancy. These infectious agents include Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled microorganism (protozoa) responsible for Toxoplasmosis; rubella virus; cytomegalovirus; and herpes simplex viruses.
How long do TORCH results take?
On average it takes 7 working days for the blood test results to come back from the hospital, depending on the exact tests requested. Some specialist test results may take longer, if samples have to be sent to a reference (specialist) laboratory. The X-ray & scan results may take longer.
Can TORCH infection affect pregnancy?
If a developing fetus is infected by a TORCH agent, the outcome of the pregnancy may be miscarriage, stillbirth, delayed fetal growth and maturation (intrauterine growth retardation), or early delivery.
How does mother get TORCH infection?
TORCH Syndrome results from one of the TORCH agents having crossed the placenta during pregnancy. These infectious agents include Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled microorganism (protozoa) responsible for Toxoplasmosis; rubella virus; cytomegalovirus; and herpes simplex viruses.
Is TORCH infection curable in pregnancy?
Cytomegalovirus. Also known as CMV, cytomegalovirus is an infection in the herpes virus group. And it’s estimated that 50% of adults have it by the time they’re 30. There is no cure for CMV, but it gets better on its own very quickly and doesn’t cause serious problems — unless you’re pregnant.
Does TORCH cross the placenta?
TORCH infections can be transmitted to a newborn during a variety of stages. During pregnancy, the mother can transmit the infection to the fetus through the placenta, the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus.