Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial disease that can be fatal in pregnant women, persons over the age of 65, and those with compromised immune systems. Eating inadequately prepared deli meats and unpasteurized milk products is the most prevalent cause.
Listeria infection is seldom lethal in healthy adults, but it can be fatal in pregnant infants, newborns, and persons with weaker immune systems. The symptoms of listeria infection can be mitigated with prompt antibiotic therapy.
Listeria germs are resistant to refrigeration and even freezing. People who are more vulnerable to severe illnesses should avoid consuming foods that are more likely to contain listeria germs.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LISTERIA INFECTION?
If you have a listeria infection, you can have:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Symptoms may appear a few days after eating infected food, but it may take 30 days or more for the first signs and symptoms of infection to appear.
If the listeria infection progresses to your neurological system, you may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Changes in alertness or confusion
- Loss of equilibrium
- Convulsions
Symptoms during pregnancy and in newborn infants
A listeria infection during pregnancy is expected to generate very minor signs and symptoms in the mother. However, the repercussions for the infant can be disastrous – the baby can die in the womb or have a life-threatening illness within a few days of birth.
The signs and symptoms of a newborn listeria infection might be mild, however they can include:
- Almost no interest in feeding
- Irritability
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Breathing difficulties
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LISTERIA INFECTION?
Listeria bacteria can be found in the soil, water, and excrement of animals. People can become infected by consuming the following foods:
- Raw vegetables tainted by soil contamination or polluted manure used as fertilizer
- Contaminated meat
- Unpasteurized milk or products containing unpasteurized milk
- Certain processed foods contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses, hot dogs, and deli meats
The mother can infect her unborn child with listeria.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR LISTERIA INFECTION?
Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to listeria infection.
Pregnant women and their infants
Pregnant women are significantly more vulnerable to listeria infections than other healthy people. Although a listeria infection in pregnant women may produce just a minor sickness, the repercussions for their newborns might include:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Premature delivery
- A potentially deadly infection after delivery
People with weakened immune systems
People in this category include those who:
- Are over the age of 65
- Are undergoing chemotherapy
- Have HIV/AIDS
- Have diabetes or renal disease?
- Take high-dose prednisone or some rheumatoid arthritis medications.
- Take drugs to prevent organ rejection after transplantation.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF LISTERIA INFECTION?
The majority of listeria infections are so minor that they go unreported. In certain situations, however, a listeria infection can result in life-threatening consequences, such as:
- Generalized blood infection
- Inflammation of the brain's membranes and fluid (meningitis)
HOW IS LIISTERIA INFECTION DIAGNOSED?
A blood test is frequently the most accurate technique to identify if you have a listeria infection. In certain situations, urine or spinal fluid samples will be analyzed as well.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR LISTERIA INFECTION?
The severity of the signs and symptoms influences the treatment of listeria infection. Most persons with minor symptoms do not require therapy. Antibiotics can be used to treat more severe illnesses.
Prompt antibiotic therapy during pregnancy may help protect the illness from damaging the baby.
HOW CAN LISTERIA INFECTION BE PREVENTED?
Follow these basic food safety precautions to avoid a listeria infection:
- Maintain a clean environment: Before and after handling or preparing food, thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water. After cooking, wash the utensils, cutting boards, and other food preparation surfaces with hot, soapy water.
- Raw vegetables should be scrubbed: Under running water, scrub fresh veggies using a scrub brush or vegetable brush.
- Cook your meal thoroughly: Make sure your meat, poultry, and egg dishes are cooked to a safe temperature by using a food thermometer.
Precautions for those who are particularly vulnerable
Listeria should be avoided if you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system. Take extra measures when consuming these foods:
- Mexican-style cheeses and soft cheeses: Eat soft cheeses like feta, brie, Camembert, or blue cheese, as well as Mexican-style cheeses like queso blanco and queso fresco, only if the package clearly states that the product was manufactured with pasteurized milk.
- Deli meats and hot dogs: Avoid these unless they've been thoroughly warmed. Keep hot dog packaging fluid away from other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces. After handling these goods, wash your hands.
- Meat spreads: Refrigerated meat spreads should not be consumed. Meat spreads that are canned or shelf-stable (meaning they may be securely stored at room temperature) are okay. After opening, keep refrigerated.
- Smoked seafood: These items can be classified as nova style, lox, kippered, or jerky. It is acceptable to consume them in prepared foods. Smoked fish that is canned or shelf-stable is allowed.
- Sprouts, raw or mildly cooked: Sprouts of any sort should be properly cooked.