This is a foodborne bacterial disease that is very serious for pregnant women, people over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems. It is called Listeria infection and the most common cause that provokes this infection is eating improperly processed meats and unpasteurized milk products.
While listeria infection can be fatal for unborn babies, infants, and people with weakened body defense (immune system), it happens quite rarely in healthy people. Commonly, doctors prescribe antibiotics to lessen the symptoms and treat the infection.
Moreover, these bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing. That’s why people with a high risk of infections should avoid all food types that potentially contain listeria bacteria.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Chills
The symptoms usually start within 30 days after you eat contaminated food. In addition, this infection can spread to the nervous system and provoke the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Neck stiffness
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Symptoms in Pregnant Women and Babies
While listeria infection provokes mild symptoms in a pregnant woman, it can lead to serious consequences for an unborn baby (such as the baby can die in the womb or have a serious infection after being born). Check below some symptoms that can occur in newborns:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Lack of appetite
- Breathing problems
If you experience any of the previous symptoms it is advised to see a doctor. However, if high fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, or light sensitivity occur, it may mean you or your baby have bacterial meningitis, which is a life-threatening complication of this infection.
Causes
This bacteria can be found in animal feces, water, and soil but people often get infected when eating the following products. Examples include:
- Raw vegetables that were contaminated from the soil or manure used as a fertilizer
- Contaminated meat
- Products that contain unpasteurized milk
- Processed foods (including soft cheeses, hot dogs, and deli meats)
This bacteria can spread to an unborn baby during pregnancy if the mother has it.
Risk Factors
People with weakened immune systems and pregnant women are more prone to get this infection.
Pregnant Women and Newborns
While a pregnant woman experiences mild symptoms, babies can experience life-threatening consequences. Check below some of them:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Fatal infection after birth
- Premature birth
People with Weakened Immune Systems
Those who suffer from the following conditions are at increased risk of developing listeria infection, especially if they are over 65 years old. Examples include:
- Those who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Receive chemotherapy (a treatment used to destroy cancer cells)
- Have diabetes or kidney disease
- Following treatment with high-dose Prednisone, rheumatoid arthritis medicines, or drugs used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ
Complications
Usually, listeria infections are mild and do not provoke any serious health problems. However, this infection can lead to some life-threatening complications if it is not treated. For example:
- Meningitis (a serious condition in which the membranes and fluid around the brain become inflamed)
- Blood infection
Talk with your doctor for more details.
How to Prevent Listeria Infection?
Check below some tips that can help to prevent this infection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap before and after handling or preparing food. You should also wash the utensils used to prepare the food with hot soapy water.
- Clean raw vegetables under running water.
- It is advised to use a food thermometer to ensure the meat, poultry, and egg dishes are prepared to a safe temperature.
For pregnant women and people with poor immune systems is recommended to consider additional precautions with the following food types. Examples include:
- Soft and Mexican-style cheeses – Before eating these cheeses make sure that they are produced using pasteurized milk. However, you should avoid eating these cheeses if the package is not clear what milk type they use. These cheeses include feta, brie, Camembert, blue cheese, queso blanco, and queso fresco.
- Hot dogs and deli meats – It is not recommended to eat reheated hot dogs until they are hot.
- Meat spreads – It is not allowed to consume refrigerated meat spreads.
- Smoked seafood – The only seafood you can eat includes canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood. It is acceptable to add seafood to cooked dishes.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Healthcare providers usually perform a blood test to diagnose listeria infection. However, they can also perform tests on the urine and spinal fluid.
The treatment for this infection often is different among people because it depends on the severity of the infection, symptoms, and other factors. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat this infection. These medicines are an effective treatment for pregnant women and also help to prevent the spread of the bacteria to the unborn baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common symptoms caused by listeria infection?
These include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Diarrhea
However, if neck stiffness, high fever, loss of balance, and convulsions happen, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
How do usually people get infected with this bacteria?
In most cases, people experience listeria infection due to contaminated food. For instance, raw (unpasteurized) milk or vegetables. Moreover, processed meats also can contain listeria bacteria. Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details.
What are the possible listeria infection complications?
Although this infection goes away on its own usually and does not require treatment, sometimes, it may cause life-threatening complications. For example:
- Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord)
- Mental retardation
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Blood infection
Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
