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Is Toxoplasmosis Infected Chicken Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?

Posted on Thu, 8 May 2014

Question: I am 14 weeks pregnant with twins....I had a craving for Popeyes spicy chicken...so we got some to bring home....before I ate, I microwaved for 30 seconds to be sure it was done.....there was no pink or white juice....the meat itself looked solidly cooked but tinted a little pink, I thought it was due to spice....I asked my husband and he said it was deep fried and microwaved and it looked ok to him.....then I removed a large piece and saw a spot that clearly looked pinker than the rest....I put it down but am terrified I have exposed babies to toxoplasmosis...please help....I can't calm down

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hi I read your query and I understand your concerns. Redness of the chicken does not indicate it is toxoplasmosis. It could be a part of chicken where there might have been some sort of pressure before or just after its death making the particular area more pink than other part. Therefore I presume this is just a guess you are taking on toxoplasmosis and getting worried. Dont worry. since you are 14 weeks the organs of your baby would have been formed and congenital birth defects wont occur even if it is toxoplasmosis. Therefore stop worrying and enjoy pregnancy. Let me know if you have any more questions. Regards Dr. Mahesh Koregol

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (5 minutes later)

ok, well I am not quite 14 weeks, I will be this Tuesday, right now, I am 13 weeks 3 days. Most worried about brain defects and blindness,retardation that I read can be caused by congenital toxo.....would that be a concern for me? It was a chicken breat that I ate and those dont typically look pink, are you sure I am OK? Do you think I should ask my OB to test me for toxo on Monday....we have been through alot, (several IVFs) to get pregnant and now I fear I have ruined everything main ?? i have is if I should be tested for toxo asap

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hi No. There is no need for getting tested for toxoplasmosis. By your description there is no chance it can be toxoplasmosis. Moreover Baby's organ development is completed by 10 weeks. Hence chance of contracting any of those you have read are not there. Hope your doubt is cleared now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (2 minutes later)

OK, but just want to be clear...I ate some of the chicken that looked white/pink....thinking it was OK because it had been fried and microwaved....not trying to be dense, just trying to be sure I don't need to get tested....So I don't need to be tested for toxo?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Hi I understand your concerns. I see no need of testing for toxoplasmosis. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar