Comprehensive TORCH IgG Test – Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Herpes Simplex-II Antibodies Detection

Description

TORCH IgG Test – Toxoplasma IgG, Rubella IgG, Cytomegalovirus IgG, Herpes Simplex-II IgG: Immunity & Exposure Screening

The TORCH IgG Test from Lab Tests Dubai is a vital prenatal and preconception screening panel that detects IgG antibodies against four infections known to cause severe congenital abnormalities if contracted during pregnancy:

• Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis)
• Rubella virus
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)

Using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence technology, this serum-based test delivers accurate results within just 1 day, helping doctors determine:

• Whether you’re immune (due to past infection or vaccination)
• If you’re susceptible and at risk during pregnancy
• If further IgM testing is needed to rule out recent infection

Available with confidential home blood collection, Lab Tests Dubai makes fetal risk screening fast, reliable, and stress-free—so you can plan your pregnancy with confidence.

Why You Need This Test

If you’re planning a baby or already pregnant, this test could protect your baby from lifelong disability.

You need the TORCH IgG Test if:

• You’re trying to conceive and want to check immunity
• You’re in your first trimester (routine prenatal screening)
• You’ve had unexplained miscarriages or birth defects
• You work with children, animals, or raw meat (high Toxoplasma risk)
• You’re immunocompromised (e.g., HIV, on immunosuppressants)
• You’ve had genital herpes or sexual exposure

IgG antibodies indicate past exposure or immunity:

• Positive IgG = Likely protected
• Negative IgG = Susceptible → need prevention strategies

Early testing allows for:

• Vaccination (for Rubella) before pregnancy
• Lifestyle precautions (e.g., avoiding cat litter, undercooked meat)
• Neonatal monitoring if HSV-2 positive

This is preventive medicine at its most powerful.

Symptoms That Indicate This Test

Consider the TORCH IgG Test if you or your baby may be at risk due to:

✅ For Toxoplasmosis:

• Exposure to cat feces or raw/undercooked meat
• Flu-like illness during pregnancy
• Fetal intracranial calcifications on ultrasound

✅ For Rubella:

• No MMR vaccination history
• Rash or joint pain during pregnancy
• History of unvaccinated travel

✅ For CMV:

• Daycare worker or young children at home
• Mononucleosis-like illness in pregnancy
• Fetal growth restriction or hearing loss

✅ For HSV-2:

• History of genital herpes
• Partner with HSV-2
• Risk of neonatal herpes during delivery

Even if you feel fine, silent infections can harm your baby—this test gives you peace of mind or early warning.

Natural Production: How IgG Antibodies Reveal Immunity

When your body fights an infection, it produces antibodies:

• IgM – Appears first (acute infection)
• IgG – Develops later, stays for life (immunity)

This test measures IgG only to assess:

• Past infection or vaccination-induced immunity

🔹 Toxoplasma IgG+ → Immune (low risk in pregnancy)
🔹 Rubella IgG+ → Protected (no congenital rubella risk)
🔹 CMV IgG+ → Previously infected (can reactivate; risk to fetus)
🔹 HSV-2 IgG+ → Genital herpes exposure (risk of transmission during delivery)

Note: IgG does not mean active disease—it means exposure or immunity.

What Happens If Untreated or Ignored? Risks to Mother & Baby

Ignoring TORCH susceptibility can lead to devastating congenital conditions:

⚠️ Toxoplasmosis → Hydrocephalus, blindness, seizures
⚠️ Rubella → Deafness, cataracts, heart defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome)
⚠️ CMV → Hearing loss, microcephaly, developmental delay (most common infectious cause)
⚠️ HSV-2 → Neonatal herpes → brain damage, death (if delivered vaginally during active outbreak)

The good news? Most risks are preventable:

• Rubella: Vaccinate before pregnancy
• Toxoplasma: Avoid raw meat, cat litter
• HSV-2: Antiviral therapy (acyclovir) in 3rd trimester
• CMV: Hand hygiene, avoid saliva/urine of young children

This test is your first line of defense.

How to Prepare for the Test

Preparing for the TORCH IgG Test is simple:

✅ No fasting required
✅ Continue your regular medications—but inform your doctor
✅ Avoid testing during acute illness or fever (may affect immune markers)
✅ Best done before pregnancy or in first trimester

A serum blood sample is collected via standard draw—available at our labs or via home collection.

Test Overview: High-Sensitivity Chemiluminescence Method

Feature	Details
Test Name	TORCH IgG Panel – Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, HSV-2
Sample Type	Serum (Blood)
Methodology	Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA)
Turnaround Time (TAT)	1 Day
Category	Prenatal & Preconception Screening
Purpose	Assess immunity to infections that cause congenital abnormalities
Testing Location	Lab Tests Dubai – Accredited Labs & Home Collection Across UAE

Results Interpretation:

Infection	IgG Result	Meaning
Toxoplasma	Positive	Immune (low risk)
	Negative	Susceptible – avoid exposure
Rubella	Positive	Immune (vaccinated or infected)
	Negative	Not immune – get MMR before pregnancy
CMV	Positive	Past infection – can reactivate
	Negative	Susceptible – practice hygiene
HSV-2	Positive	Genital herpes exposure – inform OB-GYN
	Negative	No exposure – reduce sexual risk

Results are reported with clinical notes for your doctor.

FAQs About the TORCH IgG Test

Q: Can I test during pregnancy?
A: Yes. Highly recommended in the first trimester.

Q: Does a positive HSV-2 IgG mean I’ll pass it to my baby?
A: Not necessarily. Risk is highest during primary outbreak near delivery. Your OB-GYN may recommend antivirals or C-section.

Q: Can I get vaccinated after a negative Rubella test?
A: Yes—but wait 1 month before conceiving. MMR is a live vaccine—not safe during pregnancy.

Q: Can I book without a doctor’s referral?
A: Yes! Lab Tests Dubai allows direct online booking—ideal for pre-pregnancy planning.

Q: How will I get results?
A: A secure digital report is emailed within 24 hours, including all four IgG results.

Q: Is this test covered by insurance?
A: Yes. TORCH screening is medically necessary—fully covered by all UAE insurers during prenatal care.

If you’re planning a family or already pregnant, the TORCH IgG Test gives you the answers you need in just one day.