What is Listeriosis

Listeriosis is an infection that is caused by a bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. People can get listeriosis from eating food that has come in contact (contaminated) with the bacteria.

Meat and dairy products from infected animals can spread the disease to humans. Uncooked fruits and vegetables may also spread the disease. The bacteria may be present in food processing factories and may spread through packaged food products.

Many people are exposed to these bacteria and do not get sick. However, the bacteria can cause serious illness in certain people. A listeriosis infection in a pregnant woman can cause pregnancy loss (miscarriage), early (premature) birth, or severe infection or death in her newborn. In older adults and people with a weakened body defense system (immune system), the infection is more likely to spread from the digestive system to the blood (sepsis) or to the brain (meningitis).

What are the causes?

Common causes of this infection include exposure to:

• Uncooked meats.
• Uncooked vegetables.
• Unpasteurized milk or cheese.
• Prepared or packaged foods such, as lunch meats.

Listeriosis usually does not spread from person to person. However, a pregnant woman can pass the infection to her unborn baby before birth.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

• Pregnant women.
• People who are 65 or older.
• People with a weakened immune system. Some conditions can weaken the immune system, including:
  • Cancer.
  • Diabetes.
  • Liver or kidney disease.
  • HIV and AIDS.
  • Abuse of drugs or alcohol.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition may develop days or weeks after ingesting the bacteria. Symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Diarrhea.
• Muscle aches.
• Fatigue.
• Headaches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stiff neck.
• Confusion.
• Seizure.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• A physical exam.
• A lab test to see if the bacteria will grow (culture) from a sample of:
  • Blood.
  • The fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). This is called a lumbar puncture.
  • The fluid inside a pregnant woman’s womb (amniotic fluid).

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicine. If you are pregnant, antibiotics can also prevent listeriosis from spreading to your baby.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Rest as needed.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• If you have a high risk of getting listeriosis, do not eat:
  • Hot dogs or lunch meats.
  • Soft cheeses.
  • Prepared meat spreads.
  • Smoked seafood.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Wash hands after handling uncooked foods. Also, wash surfaces and utensils that come in contact with uncooked food.
• Separate uncooked meats from vegetables.
• Keep the inside of your refrigerator clean.
• Keep refrigerator temperature below 40°F.
• Cook meat to the proper temperature.
• Eat precooked meats before the expiration date. Do not eat foods past their expiration date.
• Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized cheese.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You still have symptoms after you finish the antibiotics.

Get help right away if:

• You develop fever and chills with a severe headache or stiff neck.
• You are pregnant and:
  • You develop a fever.
  • Your symptoms get worse.

Summary

• Listeriosis is an infection that is caused by a bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.
• A person can get this disease from eating uncooked meats or vegetables or by consuming unpasteurized milk or cheese.
• These bacteria do not cause health problems in most people. However, they can cause serious illness in pregnant women, people older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems.
• This condition can be treated with an antibiotic medicine. Take your antibiotic medicine exactly as told by your health care provider.
• If you are at a high risk of getting this disease, you can protect yourself by avoiding foods such as hot dogs, soft cheeses, or prepared meat spreads.