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Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis A parasitic infection carried in cat feces and uncooked meat that can cause stillbirth or miscarriage when contracted by a pregnant woman. Toxoplasmosis is rare; an estimated one in 1,000 women is infected during pregnancy.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Feces
Stool.
Stillbirth
The death of a baby after 20 weeks' gestation but before birth. Stillbirths are mainly caused by genetic or congenital defects, problems with the umbilical cord or placenta, or a medical condition in the mother.
Miscarriage
Spontaneous termination of a pregnancy before the fetus has developed enough to survive outside the uterus.
Toxoplasmosis
A parasitic infection carried in cat feces and uncooked meat that can cause stillbirth or miscarriage when contracted by a pregnant woman. Toxoplasmosis is rare; an estimated one in 1,000 women is infected during pregnancy.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Toxoid
A nontoxic derivative of a toxin used as an immunogen for the induction of antibodies capable of cross-reacting with the toxin.
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Testicular torsion
Where the testicle twists inside the scrotum, usually because of an injury to the scrotum; can lead to infertility.
Thrombophlebitis
The inflammation of a vein associated with a blood clot.
Toilet training
The process of teaching a child to control urination and bowel movements.
Tonic neck reflex
One of the reflexes present at birth, also called the fencing reflex. An infant will crook one arm behind the head while the other is extended away from the body.
Tonsils
Organs at the back of the throat that help the body fight off viral and bacterial infections; part of the immune system. No longer routinely removed when they become infected.
Toxoplasmosis
Transducer
In ultrasound, the device that emits sound waves and transmits them to a computer, resulting in the ultrasound image.
Transitional object
An object, often a blanket or stuffed animal, that a child becomes attached to and turns to for comfort.
Triage
A process of separating out sick or injured people based on their need for medical treatment. In a hospital, a triage area is usually part of the emergency room, where staff decide which patients get treated first.
Trimester
A period of three months. Also one of the three parts or stages of pregnancy, each approximately three months long.
Trisomy 18
A severe birth defect caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Children with the disorder have small eyes,abnormally formed ears, and heart problems, are severely mentally retarded, and rarely live past one year.
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