sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Congenital toxoplasmosis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if a baby or child has:

    • A seizure lasting several minutes, repeated seizures, or a first seizure
    • Severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey skin, or unresponsiveness
    • Sudden major loss of vision
    • Extreme difficulty waking or a sudden severe change in awareness
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical assessment for a fever in a baby younger than 3 months, poor feeding with fewer wet nappies, repeated vomiting, worsening jaundice, a bulging soft spot, or new unusual movements.

    These symptoms have many possible causes and do not prove toxoplasmosis, but young babies need prompt assessment.

    New blurred vision, floaters, eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light needs prompt eye assessment because it may indicate active retinal inflammation.

    Contact the specialist team promptly if a child taking treatment develops a widespread rash, mouth sores, unusual bruising, marked paleness, persistent fever, or severe vomiting.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up remains important when a child appears well.

    Attend planned blood tests, eye examinations, hearing checks, and developmental reviews.

    Between visits, mention changes in vision, hearing, school progress, movement, or behaviour.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Congenital toxoplasmosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.