Toxoplasma - Please help

[MeredithD]

Kaylene,
I feel i need to put my 2cents worth here on this issue. I am a vet and hear so many inaccuracies regarding toxoplasmosis, sadly mostly from GPs who don't seem to know the facts.
Firstly, Christy is very right that you need to clarify some things with your Dr. Having a positive toxo test only means that you have antibodies to this parasite. It is not a test to indicate current infection. You may have been exposed to it 5yrs ago or only a month ago. It does take several weeks to develop enough antibodies to get a positive test so is unlikely that you would have an "active" infection right now. If your Dr was worried, they would suggest a follow up test in a couple of weeks. If the titre (level of antibodies in your blood) rises dramatically over a few weeks, that is an indication your body is responding to a recent infection. If you were exposed yrs ago then you are actually immune and there would be no danger to your baby even if exposed again right now. The only danger is when exposure happens during the pregnancy to women with no prior immunity.
Did you have a negative test prior to pregnancy?
Secondly, don't be so quick to blame the kitty litter. Cats are given far to harsh blame for this disease. Yes, they are the major carriers of the parasite but most infections in humans actually occur through ingestion of poorly cooked meat . Cats aquire the parasite from eating affected rodents (rats/mice) and will then shed toxoplasma spores in their faeces. In a normal, healthy cat, however, this shedding will only go on for a limited time (weeks) before the cat develops immunity -he/she will then never shed toxoplasma again in their life unless they become ill/immune compromised (eg feline aids etc). Thus, a young cat who hunts is the greatest risk. Older, totally indoor cats are a unlikely to carry/shed toxoplasma.
So, how old is you cat? and does he/she have opportunity to hunt rats/mice?
Simply having cleaned a cat litter tray or even owning a cat does not equal source of infection.
I have handled hundreds of cats over the yrs and cleaned almost as many litter trays!!!
I also have two cats at home and cleaned their litter throughout my preganancy. I have been tested several times for toxoplasmosis and always negative as have been many other veterinary staff that I know.
I understand your worry regarding your test because it is a great risk to unborn babies.
You really should ring your GP or OB to discuss the result further. It may well be that you were exposed even prior to concieving this baby in which case he/she (and yourself) are perfectly safe.
HTH - please let us know how you go.