What is a TORCH Test and How Does It Impact Fertility Treatment?

When trying to start a family, every small detail matters, and sometimes the answers lie hidden in the tiniest corners of your health.

That’s where the TORCH test steps in. This seemingly simple blood test plays a powerful role in the world of fertility treatment. By detecting silent infections that may harm a pregnancy or hinder conception, the TORCH test acts like a fertility detective, uncovering invisible threats before they cause heartbreak.

Whether you’re planning IVF, IUI, or a natural pregnancy, understanding your TORCH status can make all the difference between uncertainty and a successful, healthy journey to parenthood.

What is a TORCH Test?

A series of tests called the TORCH Test is used to identify potentially fatal illnesses in expectant mothers. Infections can be transferred from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy. Through early identification, the TORCH Test helps prevent difficulties for newborns.

The test's name is an abbreviation for the infections that were screened for:

• T – Toxoplasmosis
• O – Other infections (like Syphilis, Varicella-Zoster, Parvovirus B19)
• R – Rubella (German measles)
• C – Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• H – Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2)

These tests look for antibodies, particularly IgG and IgM antibodies. By observing the mother's symptoms and utilising these antibodies, the doctor determines whether the foetus has been exposed to illness.

Also read: What is the Beta hCG Test and How it Relates to Pregnancy

Who Should Undergo the TORCH Test?

The TORCH test is mostly advised during pregnancy. It is advised to use the TORCH test for:

Expectant Mothers

Expectant mothers undergo the TORCH test to look for infections that could endanger the developing fetus and to avoid stillbirth, early birth, or congenital abnormalities.

Infertility in Women

Some women who face infertility are suggested to undergo the TORCH test to determine the reason for recurrent miscarriages or trouble conceiving. This early diagnosis helps in the treatment of any infection that results in infertility.

Newborn Infants

The test helps in determining the cause if a baby exhibits signs of congenital illnesses, such as jaundice, low birth weight, or convulsions.

Why Do You Need a TORCH Test?

A TORCH test is needed to check for infections during pregnancy. Typically, a good fertility expert or doctor will advise tests throughout the first three to four months of pregnancy. If a medical professional observes any of the following conditions, they might suggest the TORCH test:

• Developmental problems
• Birth defects
• Heart issues
• Convulsions
• Jaundice
• Deafness
• Cataracts
• Brain and nervous system problems
• Low amounts of platelets
• Disability of the intellect (ID)
• Feeding difficulties and lethargic behaviour
• Purplish or bluish patches (blueberry rashes)

Step-by-Step Procedure of TORCH Test

The following procedures are involved in the TORCH blood test:

Step 1: Collection of Blood Samples

A nurse or worker pulls a small amount of blood from a vein in the arm. The whole process is painless and takes just a few minutes.

Step 2: Analysis in the Lab

In this process, the doctor absorbs the IgM and IgG antibodies. The IgM antibodies indicate an ongoing or recent infection and IgG antibodies show immunity or a history of infection.

Step 3: Results Interpretation

After the evaluation of blood on the basis of IgM and IgG, three results are obtained.

• Positive IgM indicates an active infection that needs to be treated right away.
• Positive IgG typically indicates immunity to a previous infection.
• Negative IgM & IgG indicate no exposure, but pregnancy-related infection carries a risk.

Also Read: After How Many Weeks IVF Pregnancy Is Considered Safe

How is TORCH Infection Diagnosed Before and During Pregnancy?

There are several tests done for diagnosing TORCH infection before and during pregnancy. Viral cultures, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays, and blood tests are used to diagnose TORCH infections.

Saliva from the mouth, mucus from the nose, blood, urine, amniotic fluid, or fluid from a skin rash or sore are taken for performing such tests. PCR tests function by detecting the genetic material of a virus in a fluid sample.

How is TORCH Infection Diagnosed in Newborns?

The diagnosis for the mother and baby is separate. Your fertility doctor will take action to determine whether your infant has a TORCH infection after you have been diagnosed with one.

The Newborns with TORCH infections are diagnosed:

• During a prenatal physical examination.
• After assessing the symptoms of your infant.
• Throughout pregnancy, via ultrasound or other imaging methods.

When diagnosing TORCH infections in newborn babies, medical professionals employ the same tests they do for adults. To check for viral infections, your child's doctor might draw a tiny amount of blood from their finger or heel or take a fluid sample.

What if the TORCH Results are Positive?

If the TORCH test results are positive, it reveals an active infection inside the mother. During such a situation, the doctor might suggest a few treatments such as:

• Antibiotics or antiviral medications are used to treat infections
• Ultrasound or amniocentesis to assess the health of the unborn child
• Regular follow-up scans and monitoring

How is TORCH Infection Treated?

The treatment of TORCH infection highly depends on the disease, the time of infection, and the intensity of symptoms, all influence how TORCH infections are treated. The treatment of TORCH infection is done by providing medicine or

Antibiotics, antiparasitics, and antiviral drugs are some medicines that are provided to expectant mothers to avoid infection. Rest and water are the only treatments for certain TORCH illnesses, which are caused by viruses.

Can My Baby Get TORCH Infection?

Yes, it is true that your baby can also get TORCH infections. There are three ways for your baby to obtain a TORCH infection:

• Through the placenta: During pregnancy, several illnesses are transferred from your bloodstream to the blood of your unborn child via the placenta.
• During childbirth: If you give birth vaginally, your baby may get a TORCH infection when they pass through the birth canal.
• After birth: If you are nursing, you may give your infant an infection through your breast milk.

TORCH Test Price: Is it Expensive?

A basic TORCH profile tests for IgG and IgM in the mothers. It costs anywhere from INR 2,000 to INR 3,000. The cost of longer panels with more infections could range from INR 2,500 to INR 3,500. However, these cost varies based on certain factors. It includes:

• Location of the lab
• The clinic you have consulted
• The type of test you have to undergo
• The intensity of the problem.

How to Prevent TORCH Infection?

It is always said that prevention is better than a cure. Hence, it is important for you to practice some measures that will avoid TORCH infection in future. To prevent TORCH infection, you must:

• Get vaccinated against varicella and rubella before becoming pregnant.
• Steer clear of raw meat and unpasteurised dairy, and wash your hands often.
• Take precautions to avoid contracting syphilis and herpes.
• Go for regular checkups, as better pregnancy outcomes are achieved through early detection.
• Refrain from interacting with sick people.
• Avoid sharing utensils or drinks with other individuals.
• During pregnancy, assign someone else to clean the litter boxes.
• Get an STI test before becoming pregnant.
• Follow your doctor's instructions when taking antiviral drugs.

Summing It Up

While the journey to parenthood can be filled with excitement, it also requires careful planning and awareness of potential risks. The TORCH test is a crucial step that helps uncover hidden infections that might interfere with fertility or affect a healthy pregnancy.

So, to be confident enough during your pregnancy, connect with a fertility expert at the Best IVF Centre in Delhi NCR and get yourself checked before it’s too late.

In the world of fertility care, knowledge is power, and the TORCH test offers just that: the power to plan, prepare and pursue your dream of parenthood with confidence and clarity.