Introduction:
TORCH infections can be transferred to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or even after birth. Pregnant women must try to protect themselves from TORCH infection as these infections can cause severe infections in the future. For example, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can lead to microcephaly (smaller head and brain in babies compared to babies of the same sex and age) and other serious defects in the brain.
TORCH stands for the following:
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T - Toxoplasmosis.
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O - Other agents (HIV, syphilis, parvovirus B19, Varicella, and Zika infection).
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R - Rubella.
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C - Cytomegalovirus.
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H - Herpes. `
These infections can lead to severe illness, lifelong disabilities, or birth defects, like learning problems. All pregnant women must consult their healthcare provider to learn more about using insect repellent when outside, safe food preparation, taking proper medications, and following other necessary precautions.
How Are TORCH Infections Transmitted?
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Before Birth: Certain diseases are carried through the placenta to the child’s blood during pregnancy. The placenta nourishes the baby with nutrients, oxygen, and blood.
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During Birth: TORCH infection can pass through the birth canal during vaginal birth.
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After Birth: In nursing mothers, the infection is transferred to the baby through breastmilk or breastfeeding.
How Can TORCH Infections Be Prevented?
TORCH infections can be prevented by adopting the following ways:
1. The most basic and best preventive measure to avoid TORCH infections during pregnancy involves washing hands after the following activities:
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Touching raw eggs, raw meat, or unwashed vegetables.
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After preparing food and eating.
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Using the bathroom.
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Handling pets.
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Touch dirt or soil.
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Getting saliva (spit) on hands.
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Changing diapers.
2. Pregnant women must avoid unpasteurized or raw milk and foods prepared using them, like soft cheeses (feta cheese), until it is stated that it has been prepared with pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk products should not be consumed during pregnancy because they contain harmful bacteria.
3. Pregnant women must avoid traveling to regions with Zika virus infection. If a pregnant woman must travel to such areas, she must talk to the doctor about the preventive measures and follow them strictly. Individuals whose partners have traveled to such areas must take preventive measures to avoid infection during pregnancy.
4. Pregnant women must reduce contact with the urine and saliva of babies or young children because a cytomegalovirus (CMV) virus may lead to severe problems in babies, like microcephaly and hearing loss. A woman infected with CMV might transfer this virus to the developing baby during pregnancy. Therefore, to avoid this infection, the following measures must be taken:
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Avoid sharing utensils and food with babies and young children.
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Washing hands after changing diapers.
5. It is studied that around one in every four women is infected with group B Streptococcus bacteria. However, they do not have any symptoms. These bacteria can be tested through a swab test at the end of pregnancy, and if it is present, the healthcare provider must be consulted to protect the baby during labor.
6. Women must stay away from wild or pet rodents during pregnancy. A pest control professional should be contacted to eliminate pests in or around the home. If such animals are kept as pets, they must be kept away during the pregnancy period.
7. Pregnant women must consult the doctor about the vaccinations (shots) required during pregnancy. These vaccinations have to be administered before, during, or right after pregnancy. Receiving the right vaccinations at the right time helps to avoid these infections.
8. Women must not touch or clean cat litter during pregnancy as it might contain harmful parasites. If it is necessary to change the cat litter, they must wear gloves and wash their hands properly. Dirty cat litter may possess a harmful parasite.
9. Pregnant women must get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like HIV and hepatitis B, once they conceive because sometimes these diseases or infections do not show any symptoms immediately. If the patient knows about these diseases, they can consult the doctor regarding decreasing the chances of this infection in the newborn.
10. Pregnant women should avoid meeting people who have an infection. If pregnant women have not been vaccinated before pregnancy, they must stay away from people who have TORCH infections.
How to Prevent Infections in the Delivery Room?
TORCH infections can spread in the delivery room. Hence, healthcare providers must take necessary precautions to protect newborns from these infections. The following precautions must be taken include:
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Doctors must change their gowns after every delivery.
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All the equipment in the delivery room must be sterilized before use, like forceps, scalpels, and other medical equipment required during labor.
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The healthcare professionals and the hospital staff must wear clean gowns. The gowns and the rubber gloves must be clean and fresh.
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When the body temperature of the newborn has stabilized, the placenta and other body fluids should be washed off after delivery.
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Extra care must be taken after a cesarean section, and babies born through cesarean section must be completely cleaned to make sure that they are unexposed to any bacteria near the incision's location.
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Excess fluid must be removed immediately from the baby’s mouth, nose, and throat.
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An antiseptic must be applied to the baby’s umbilical cord as it helps to prevent a cord infection.
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Eye drops or ointments must be administered in newborns to prevent infections.
How Are TORCH Infections Treated?
The treatment of TORCH infection in newborns depends on the following:
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The causative agent.
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The severity of the infection.
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The stage of fetal development at which the infection occurred.
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Associated symptoms and findings.
In cases of toxoplasmosis, treatment usually includes the administration of the medication Pyrimethamine with Sulfadiazine. Antiviral agents like Acyclovir are used for treating Herpes simplex. The management of rubella or cytomegalovirus primarily includes symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Conclusion:
It is important to take proper preventive measures to avoid TORCH infections. These infections are harmful to both the developing child and the nursing mother. These infections might occur without any symptoms. Hence it is of utmost importance for the clinical to test for these infections during pregnancy and help take necessary precautions. The healthcare provider must be consulted if there is an infection or if there are chances of developing these infections.
