Listeria Infection: Symptoms, Risk Factors, And Prevention

[LoShiNi]

How serious is listeria infection?

Listeria infection (listeriosis) develops after consuming food contaminated with listeria bacteria. Healthy people rarely have any severe symptoms and usually require no treatment. But the infection poses a particular risk to some groups of people, including pregnant women and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

Symptoms of listeriosis usually develop a few days after eating contaminated food. In some cases, signs of the illness start to show 30 days or more after a person becomes infected.

Symptoms are the same as those of food poisoning, or other causes, and include:

- fever;

- chills;

- muscle aches;

- nausea and vomiting;

- diarrhea.

If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms are the following:

- severe headache;

- stiff neck;

- confusion;

- loss of balance;

- seizures.


Listeria infection can lead to meningitis if it spreads to the brain.

Symptoms in infants include:

- poor feeding;

- irritability;

- body temperature higher or lower than normal;

- trouble breathing;

- vomiting;

- skin rash.

When to see a doctor

Seek urgent medical help if:

- you are pregnant and have fever, chills, or other symptoms, even if they are mild;

- your symptoms are severe;

- there are signs that the infection has spread to the nervous system;

- your child has symptoms.

Who is at risk of severe listeriosis?

These groups of people are at a higher risk of more severe listeriosis and complications:

- people older than 65;

- infants;

- pregnant women – the women themselves usually have only mild symptoms, but there is a high risk for their babies (such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or potentially fatal listeria infection after birth);

- people with a compromised immune system, such as HIV/AIDS patients, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Severe cases are usually treated with intravenous antibiotics.

How can you prevent listeria infection?

Proper food hygiene is crucial for listeriosis prevention. To lower your risk of listeriosis, do the following:

- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the bathroom and before and after preparing or handling food;

- wash kitchen surfaces and utensils thoroughly, especially after preparing raw meat, poultry, and eggs;

- wash raw fruits and vegetables using a scrub brush or vegetable brush;

- cook food thoroughly, use a clean food thermometer to check whether your food is hot enough for safe consumption;

- keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods; don’t put raw meat above ready-to-eat foods in the fridge;

- store food according to instructions on the labels.

People who are at a high risk of listeriosis (especially pregnant women) should avoid these foods:

- refrigerated pâté or meat spreads;

- refrigerated smoked seafood;

- hot dogs, luncheon meats and deli meats (unless reheated until steaming hot);

- soft cheeses, raw milk, and any products made from raw milk.