TORCH Infections

What can be done to prevent the infection?

Prevention is related to the specific infection. Avoiding cats and raw meat can help prevent most cases of toxoplasmosis. Rubella can be prevented by making sure the mother is immune (by testing her blood). Cytomegalovirus can rarely be prevented, but safer sex practices can help prevent some cases. Cases due to syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis B can also often be prevented by safer sex.

A woman who has not had chickenpox or hepatitis B is usually advised to get these vaccines before trying to get pregnant. Women who have active herpes lesions at the time of delivery are often advised to have a cesarean section. This is thought to lower the risk of passing the infection on to the baby during delivery.

What are the long-term effects of the infection?

TORCH infections can cause serious, permanent birth defects. They can leave a child with severe mental retardation or learning disorders. Some children appear normal at birth, only to have behavioral, emotional, or learning problems arise later in life. Hepatitis B can cause severe, ongoing liver damage in some cases and may increase the risk of liver cancer.

What are the risks to others?

All of the TORCH infections can be spread to other persons.