What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes, the organism which causes the disease listeriosis, is a bacterium which contaminates foods. The organism can grow at refrigeration temperatures. Each year in the United States, Listeria monocytogenes infects 2,500 people and of those, approximately 500 die. Foods at high risk for transmission of Listeria include deli meats, frankfurters, pate and meat spreads, smoked seafood and unpasteurized soft cheeses.
How does one get Listeria?
Eating food contaminated with high levels of Listeria monocytogenes can cause Listeriosis in susceptible persons. Susceptible persons have some compromise to their immune system and can include pregnant women, babies, organ transplant recipients, cancer patients, those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes and elderly individuals older than 65.
How is Listeria a danger during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are immunosuppressed to prevent rejection of the fetus, and are thus at increased risk for Listeriosis. The organism can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, which has no immune protection. Healthy, non-pregnant women are at low risk for infection by Listeria monocytogenes.
How do you know if you are affected by Listeria?
Listeriosis causes serious and life threatening symptoms including flu-like illness, fever, meningitis, septicemia (blood infection) and spontaneous abortion of the fetus in pregnant women. Affected individuals are usually sick enough to seek medical attention. Listeriois is life-threatening to a fetus and may cause premature delivery of the fetus, miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems for a newborn surviving infection. Breastmilk is not a common source of infection, so you have little chance of passing the bacteria on while breastfeeding.
What is the treatment for Listeria?
If diagnosed early, Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics (ampicillin being the antibiotic of choice). It is important to seek medical treatment from a knowledgeable physician. Babies infected with Listeria can receive the same antibiotics as adults, but more often will receive a combination of antibiotics until the diagnosis is confirmed.
How can women protect themselves from Listeria?
Avoiding high risk foods during pregnancy is the best way to prevent Listeriosis. Other safety precautions to take include:
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Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
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Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
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Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
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Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
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Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
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Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.