Medical Conditions and Treatments - Tracking

<h2><strong>How to prevent toxoplamosis?</strong></h2>
<ol><ol type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb or pork. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Do not eat locally prepared cold cuts.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">After handling raw meat, wash your hands immediately with soap. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, or other body parts. When cooking, avoid tasting meat before it is fully cooked.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Do not empty a cat’s litter box. Have someone else, wearing gloves, do it.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Change litter daily before any Toxoplasma oocysts can "ripen" and become infectious (Stage F). Dispose of used litter safely, preferably in a sealed plastic bag. If pregnant, avoid changing the litter box if possible (or use rubber gloves).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them. Wash vegetables thoroughly before eating, especially those grown in backyard gardens. Boil water from ponds or streams before drinking when camping or hiking.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Don’t feed your cat raw or undercooked meat.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Keep your cat indoors to prevent it from hunting birds or rodents, which can be infected with many types of bacteria.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Wear gloves while gardening.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Avoid children’s sandboxes because cats may use them as litter boxes.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cover sand boxes when not in use to discourage cats defecating in them.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Wash hands with soap and water after working with soil or after handling raw or undercooked meat.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cutting boards, knives, and the sink and counters should be washed well after cutting meat.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cook meat thoroughly until the internal temperature reaches 152ºF (66ºC) in a conventional oven. Microwaving is not a sure way to kill Toxoplasma in meat.</li>
</ol></ol>
<p><a title="toxoplasmosis infection" href="infections/toxoplasmosis-and-pregnancy"><strong>How do I get toxoplasmosis infection?</strong></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Toxoplasmosis Prevention

<h2><strong>How do I get infected with toxoplasmosis?</strong></h2>
<p>Most people get infected with toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked meat or meat products such as lamb, beef, or game (including salami), having contact with soil, or by inhaling or swallowing infected cat litter.</p>
<p>When cats (and only cats) become infected with toxoplasmosis, they harbor the toxoplasma "oocytes" in their intestines. These oocytes are excreted through their feces into the cat litter. This is the so-called 'intestinal phase' of the toxoplasma life cycle and it only occurs in cats (wild as well as domesticated cats). The oocytes can be inhaled or swallowed and infect others, or if the cat feces goes into the earth, people and other animals can get it when the soil gets into their mouths.</p>
<p>The extraintestinal phase occurs in all infected animals (including cats) who come in contact with the oocytes. Infected animals (including humans) produce "tachyzoites" and, eventually, "bradyzoites" or "zoitocysts." These tacgyzoites, bradyzoites, and zoitocysts reside in muscle, and when you (or other animals) eat undercooked meat, you can get infected.</p>
<p>You can also get infected with toxoplasma by putting infected soil into your mouth (always wash your hands!) or by eating undercooked meat (including salami and other similar foods) from an animal who has become infected. Cats are the only animals excreting the oocytes in their feces.</p>
<p><strong><a title="Toxoplasmosis Prevention" href="infections/toxoplasmosis-prevention">Toxoplasmosis Prevention</a></strong></p>

How do I get infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?

Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy

<h2><strong>What is roseola?</strong></h2>
<p><span style="color: black;">Roseola is a disease in young children, usually up to 4 years of age. It is characterized by high temperatures (103-105 degrees F) that last 3-5 days which usually resolves on its own. This is then followed by the appearance of a rash that lasts a few hours to a few days, mostly on the upper arms, legs, and face. The rash is usually most prominent on the neck and trunk and consists of many small red 2-5mm spots that blanch when pressed. The agent responsible for Roseola is a virus called HHV-6 or human herpes virus 6.<br></span></p>
<h2><span style="color: black;">Who gets roseola?</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;">Most young children get infected with roseola, but they are not diagnosed with it because they only have a fever and usually no rash. Once you are infected, you are immune for the rest of your life and you cannot get it again.<br></span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">How is it spread?</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Roseola virus is usually spread by tiny droplets of fluid from the nose and throat of an infected child, and it could be could picked up from another child's hands or tissues, or drinking glass, or just by being in the same room.<br>Make sure all family members — especially those taking care of the baby — wash their hands frequently. (This is a good idea whenever your child has a fever because you won't know that you're dealing with roseola until you see the classic rash).</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is it harmful in pregnancy?</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">Pregnant women get exposed to the virus all the time. By the time they are pregnant most women carry the antibody which means they had the disease already, so they are immune and cannot get it again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">There are only very few reported cases<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> where Roseola has affected the fetus, so the risk to the fetus after exposure is generally considered very low, especially when the vast majority of women are immune.</span></p>


Most young children get infected with roseola, but they are not diagnosed with it because they only have a fever and usually no rash. Once you are infected, you are immune for the rest of your life.

Is Roseola Harmful During Pregnancy?

<p>Without a vasectomy reversal, a woman can get pregnant with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm imjection (ICSI). </p><p>IVF/ICSI requires that sperm be retrieved from the testicle or epididymis through a minor surgical procedure. Retrieving the sperm is less complicated than reversal surgery -- it entails local anesthesia and insertion of a needle into the scrotum (into the testicle or epididymis) to obtain sperm. However, it also requires IVF for the woman, including fertility drugs and surgery.
</p><p>The cost for a vasectomy reversal can range from $4,000-20,000, and the cost of one cycle of IVF can range between $6,000-15,0000. Reversal surgery, and in most cases, repeat reversal surgery, are usually options of first choice for vasectomized men, mostly because of the expense, lower pregnancy rates, and potential side effects from hormonal therapy with IVF for the female partner.
IVF/ICSI is an option to consider if vasectomy reversal is unsuccessful, rather than as an alternative to surgery.</p>

Without a vasectomy reversal, a woman can get pregnant with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm imjection (ICSI).

Vasectomy Reversal or IVF

<p>
Testing is generally a good idea for what doctors define as recurrent miscarriages.</p><p> For women between 25 and 35, a recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more miscarriages in a row and for those younger than 25 or older than 35, two or more miscarriages in a row. 

</p><p>Meanwhile, while you're trying to conceive, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of having a healthy baby: Lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a well-balanced diet, don't smoke, don't take drugs, and drink less than three cups of coffee per day.</p>

Testing is generally a good idea for what doctors define as recurrent miscarriages.

When Should I Get Tested After Several Miscarriages

<p>The major concern and biggest risk of toxoplasma is if&nbsp;you became infected for the very first time during your pregnany. About 40-50% of women test positive for toxoplasmosis before pregnancy and are unlikely to infect the fetus. If a woman has no history of the infection and doesn't carry the antibody at the beginning of her pregnancy, she and her fetus are at higher risk if she does come down with a primary toxoplasmosis infection while pregnant. A simple test for a protein called IgG will tell you if you have had it before or not.</p>
<p></p>
<p>During the first trimester, only about 10% of fetuses become infected if the mother is infected, but the illness increases the risk of fetal complications, including severe congenital malformations and even death. After the first trimester, there's about a 60% chance that the fetus will become infected if the mother has a primary T. gondii infection, though at this stage, the majority of fetuses will have few or no symptoms. Presently, there are no recommendations in the U.S. for routinely testing pregnant women for toxoplasma. A positive result during pregnancy can be confusing because it's difficult to pinpoint the exact time of infection. The best time to get tested is before you get pregnant. If you test negative before or early in pregnancy, take precautions to prevent a toxoplasma infection: Avoid exposure to cat feces, and don't eat undercooked or raw meat. And get tested again later in pregnancy to make sure you haven't become infected.</p>
<p><a>More Toxoplasma FAQs at Palo Alto Medical Foundation</a></p>

The major concern and biggest risk of toxoplasma is if you became
infected for the very first time during your pregnany. A simple test for a protein called IgG will tell you if you have had it
before or not.

Toxoplamosis and Infections

<h2><strong>Hypothyroidism, infertility and pregnancy complications</strong></h2>
<p>Hypothyroidism, when you have a low thyroid hormone level, could be a cause of certain pregnancy complications such as infertility in women with irregular cycles and early miscarriages. If women with hypothyroidism get pregnant there is an increased risk of miscarriage and problems in the baby.</p>
<p>Treatment before pregnancy will improve your chances of getting pregnant and improve your overall pregnancy outcome. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Up to one in ten women have some form of hypothyroidism before or during pregnancy, though most don’t realize they have it.</p>
<h2><strong>The classic symptoms of hypothyroidism</strong></h2>
<p>The classic symptoms of hypothyroidism are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Lethargy&nbsp;</li>
<li>Fatigue;</li>
<li>Weakness;</li>
<li>Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight;</li>
<li>Dry skin; Hair loss;</li>
<li>Cold intolerance;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Constipation;</li>
<li>Depression;</li>
<li>Decreased libido;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Reduced heart rate;</li>
<li>Development of a goiter.</li>
</ul>
<p>Because some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as tiredness and weight gain are already quite common in pregnant women, doctors often overlook it and it is not considered as a possible cause of their symptoms.</p>
<h2><strong>Irregular menstrual periods and hypothyroidism&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Women who have irregular menstrual periods and have problems getting pregnant have an increased chance of having hypothyroidism, and hypothyroid women who do get pregnant have an increased risk of miscarriage. The reason for most of these irregular menstrual periods and bleeding are usually ovulation problems and anovulation (not ovulating).</p>
<h2><strong>Increased risk of low IQ in babies of mothers with hypothyroidism</strong></h2>
<p>Babies born to mothers who have hypothyroidism have been found to have lower IQs, and some doctors have suggested that all pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant should be routinely tested for hypothyroidism.</p>
<h2><strong>Testing for hypothyroidism during pregnancy</strong></h2>
<p>Thyroid testing results during pregnancy can be different than in non-pregnant individuals and sometimes need a special interpretation. A blood test which measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) can easily diagnose hypothyroidism. High levels of TSH indicate hypothyroidism and inadequate thyroid function.</p>
<h2><strong>Causes of hypothyroidism during pregnancy</strong></h2>
<p>In most cases of hypothyroidism no specific cause can be found. It may follow an infection of the thyroid and may be part of so-called “autoimmune conditions”, such as a condition called Hashimoto’s disease, or it may follow after surgical removal of parts or all of the thyroid.</p>
<h2><strong>Treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy</strong></h2>
<p>Treatment for hypothyroidism is easy. You are given a daily pill with synthetic thyroid hormone thyroxine, T4, and you continue taking it throughout pregnancy. After starting this medication it usually takes 8 weeks for thyroid function to return to normal.<br><br>There are no side effects for the mother or the baby as long as the proper dose is used.<br><br>Women with previously treated hypothyroidism should be aware that their dose of medication may have to be increased during pregnancy.</p>


Hypothyroidism could be a cause of infertility in women with irregular cycles. If women with hypothyroidism get pregnant there is an increased risk of miscarriage and problems in the baby.

Hypothyroidism, Low Thyroid, Infertility, and Pregnancy

<p>In a new study published by the Archives of Diseases in Childhood, women who exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life were less likely to report common infections&nbsp;in their infants. Exclusivity means breastmilk was the only source of food consumed by infants.</p> <p>Researchers followed a group of 1,000 infants for one year. At one month, three months, six months, nine months and one year – common infections were noted. The most common infant infections include respiratory, urinary, eye and ear infections. Also noted were upset stomach and thrush. Breastfeeding is supported as the healthiest choice for moms and infants because antibodies pass from mom to the baby via breastmilk – this study supports that claim.</p> <p>Exclusive breastfeeding was rare in the study with only 24.6% of women doing so at one month of age. By six months, that number dropped to only 10%. Previous studies have reported significant drops in breastfeeding numbers between one and six months post delivery. In this study, babies who were exclusively breastfed longer were less likely to contract infections and when they did get sick, the infection lasted fewer days. Of the starting 1000, only 91 were exclusively breastfed at six months and all suffered from fewer infections and less severe illness.</p> <p>Researchers note that women who breastfed and bottle fed with formula did not gain the full advantage of exclusive breastfeeding. Those infants fell closer to the formula feeding group than the breastfed only group of infants.</p> <p>Source: Fani Ladomenou, Joanna Moschandreas, Anthony Kafatos, Yiannis Tselentis, Emmanouil Galanakis. Archives of Diseases in Childhood. 28 September, 2010.</p>

In a new study published by the Archives of Diseases in Childhood, women who exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life were less likely to report common infections