👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Safety & Infection Control🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: TORCH infections · congenital infections · perinatal infections
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent TORCH Infections on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Def
Toxo, Other, Rubella, CMV, Herpes
Other = syphilis, HIV, parvo, varicella
🩺 Signs
IUGR, microcephaly, hearing loss
Rash, cataracts, hepatosplenomegaly
🎓 Teach
Toxo → avoid cat litter, raw meat
Rubella → MMR before pregnancy, not during
MMR is live → no in pregnancy
✅ Do
Herpes lesions → C-section delivery
Screen prenatally, treat early
📚 TORCH Infections — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
TORCH is a group of maternal infections that cross the placenta or are acquired at birth and cause congenital anomalies, miscarriage, or neonatal illness. The acronym stands for Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella, parvovirus B19, hepatitis, HIV, Zika), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes simplex virus. Prevention and early maternal screening are key because many infections are asymptomatic in the mother but devastating to the fetus.
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Key points
Understand these first
Toxoplasmosis is acquired from cat litter and raw/undercooked meat and can cause hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and intracranial calcifications.
Rubella (first-trimester) causes cataracts, deafness, and cardiac defects; the MMR vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy because it is a live vaccine.
Cytomegalovirus is the most common congenital viral infection and a leading cause of congenital hearing loss.
Active genital herpes lesions at delivery require cesarean birth to prevent neonatal HSV.
Many TORCH infections are subclinical in the mother but cause IUGR, microcephaly, rash, jaundice, or hearing/vision loss in the neonate.
Untreated maternal syphilis can cause stillbirth and congenital syphilis; it is treated with penicillin.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Reinforce prevention: avoid cat litter and undercooked meat, practice hand hygiene, and screen for immunity.
Administer rubella vaccine postpartum (not during pregnancy) to nonimmune mothers.
Identify active herpes lesions at admission and notify the provider for possible cesarean delivery.
Implement appropriate isolation and standard precautions for infected neonates and report cases as required.
Ensure pregnant clients avoid live vaccines during pregnancy.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Never give live virus vaccines (MMR, varicella) during pregnancy; advise avoiding pregnancy for 4 weeks after.
Active genital herpes lesions in labor: never proceed with vaginal birth; report for cesarean.
Nontreponemal syphilis screen (RPR/VDRL) confirmed by treponemal test
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Pregnant women should not change cat litter and should cook meat thoroughly.
Wash hands frequently, especially around young children, to reduce CMV exposure.
Get rubella immunity checked before or early in pregnancy and vaccinate after delivery if nonimmune.
❓ TORCH Infections: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for TORCH Infections?
Reinforce prevention: avoid cat litter and undercooked meat, practice hand hygiene, and screen for immunity. Administer rubella vaccine postpartum (not during pregnancy) to nonimmune mothers. Identify active herpes lesions at admission and notify the provider for possible cesarean delivery. Implement appropriate isolation and standard precautions for infected neonates and report cases as required.
What are the warning signs of TORCH Infections a nurse must report?
Never give live virus vaccines (MMR, varicella) during pregnancy; advise avoiding pregnancy for 4 weeks after. Active genital herpes lesions in labor: never proceed with vaginal birth; report for cesarean. Report neonatal signs of congenital infection (microcephaly, rash, jaundice, seizures, poor feeding).
What do I need to know about TORCH Infections for the NCLEX?
Toxoplasmosis is acquired from cat litter and raw/undercooked meat and can cause hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and intracranial calcifications. Rubella (first-trimester) causes cataracts, deafness, and cardiac defects; the MMR vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy because it is a live vaccine. Cytomegalovirus is the most common congenital viral infection and a leading cause of congenital hearing loss. Active genital herpes lesions at delivery require cesarean birth to prevent neonatal HSV.
What patient teaching is important for TORCH Infections?
Pregnant women should not change cat litter and should cook meat thoroughly. Wash hands frequently, especially around young children, to reduce CMV exposure. Get rubella immunity checked before or early in pregnancy and vaccinate after delivery if nonimmune.
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Quick Tip
Toxoplasmosis is acquired from cat litter and raw/undercooked meat and can cause hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and intracranial calcifications.