Listeria is a dangerous bacteria found in unpasteurized milk, raw meat, unwashed vegetables, deli meats, and pre-cooked salads. It can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, infants, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can lead to encephalitis and meningitis. The infection is treated with antibiotics. High-risk individuals should avoid raw or undercooked foods and report any symptoms to a doctor.
Listeria is a genus of bacteria most species of which, if consumed, can make people seriously ill. It is found in soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, raw meat, unpasteurized milk, unwashed vegetables, deli meats, and incompletely heated hot dogs or sausages, even if they are fully cooked before packaging. In most cases, a slight exposure will not cause symptoms; however, those with lower immune systems are at greater risk of contraction.
A Listeria infection can present with fever, neck pain, and vomiting or diarrhea. Complicated forms can lead to the development of both encephalitis and some forms of meningitis. Pregnant women who contract the disease from this bacterium can have sudden stillbirths.
Additionally, pregnant women are approximately 20 times more likely than the rest of the general population to get listeriosis. If miscarriages or stillbirths do not occur, infants can be born with Listeria infections, which can lead to higher rates of infant mortality. Since pregnant women are particularly prone to this bacteria and the effects can be quite devastating, pregnant or nursing women should report any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness accompanied by headache or neck pain and fever.
Others at risk for complications from ingesting Listeria include those with HIV, those who have received organ transplants, those with diabetes, infants, and the elderly. It is very important for people in these high-risk groups to observe some precautionary procedures that can help reduce the risk of contraction.
Those at risk should avoid raw milk or cheese made with raw milk. Cured meats should also be avoided. If you eat hot dogs or sausages, they should be fully cooked as heating destroys bacterial cells. Any raw vegetables or fruit should be thoroughly washed. Raw meat should be avoided completely.
Recent studies show that pre-cooked salads, with lettuce, dressing and other additions that you compile at home have also shown a higher incidence of Listeria. While these salads may be convenient, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommend washing lettuce and other greens, even if the label advertises these products as pre-washed.
The presence of Listeria infection can be confirmed by a blood test. Doctors also usually ask for a stool sample. When diagnosed, this bacterium is treated with antibiotics that kill the cells and usually prevent the complications of meningitis, encephalitis, and stillbirth.
In the United States, when cases of Listeria are reported to a physician, the physician reports this information to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC. This is helpful in identifying the source of the infection and alerting others to the possibility of exposure to the bacteria. If a person is aware that they have been exposed to Listeria, they should be aware that symptoms can occur anytime within two months of exposure. It is advisable to consult a doctor and mention the exposure.
Most people who contract this bacteria will have no future complications. Furthermore, only a small number of people are infected each year. However, if someone feels they have symptoms common to Listeria infections, it is prudent to see a doctor right away, as the treatment is simply a course of antibiotics.
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