Listeria: The Hidden Threat in Your Food

<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">What is Listeria?</span></h2>
<p>Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause fever, stomach upset, and other symptoms. People can get it from eating certain foods.</p>
<p>Listeria can be mild or severe. It is not usually serious for healthy people. But it can be more dangerous for pregnant women than for people who are not pregnant. Plus, a pregnant woman can pass Listeria to her unborn baby. The unborn baby can get very sick and even die.</p>
<p>Certain other people are also at risk of getting very sick from Listeria. They include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Newborn babies</li>
<li>Older people</li>
<li>People who have AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or another serious medical condition</li>
<li>People who had an organ transplant or stem cell transplant</li>
<li>People who take medicines that make it hard for the body to fight off infections</li>
</ul>
<p>These people are more likely to get Listeria infections in the bloodstream or brain.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?</span></h2>
<p>The symptoms are different depending on which part of the body is affected.</p>
<p>People with Listeria infections in the brain and spinal cord can have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Headache</li>
<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
<li>Stiff neck</li>
<li>Confusion or trouble thinking</li>
<li>Weak muscles on one side of the body, trouble walking, or shaky hands</li>
<li>Seizures: Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make people pass out, move, or behave strangely</li>
</ul>
<p>People with a Listeria infection in the bloodstream can have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Chills</li>
<li>Dizziness</li>
<li>Low blood pressure</li>
<li>Fast heart rate</li>
<li>Pain in joints and muscles</li>
</ul>
<p>People with a Listeria infection in the digestive system can have:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Watery diarrhea</li>
<li>Nausea and vomiting</li>
<li>Headache</li>
<li>Pain in joints and muscles</li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Should I see a doctor?</span></h2>
<p>Please see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above and are pregnant, older, have a serious medical condition, or take medicines that weaken the immune system.</p>
<ul>
<li>Gets sick with a fever or any of the other symptoms listed above</li>
<li>Acts differently from normal, such as by feeding less than usual, breathing faster than usual, or looking sleepier than usual</li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Is there a test for Listeria?</span></h2>
<p>Yes, there are a few different tests. Which ones you need will depend on your symptoms, whether you are pregnant, and if you have other medical conditions. Tests include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Blood tests</li>
<li>A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a &#8220;spinal tap&#8221;) During this procedure, a doctor puts a thin needle into your lower back and takes out a small amount of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. He or she will do tests on the fluid to look for Listeria</li>
<li>Tests on a sample of your bowel movement (if you could have Listeria that affects the digestive system)</li>
<li>Imaging tests of the brain: These tests create pictures of the inside of the body. They can include an MRI or CT scan</li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">How is Listeria treated?</span></h2>
<p>Pregnant women, newborn babies, and people with serious Listeria infections are treated with medicines called antibiotics. These are usually given through a thin tube that goes into a vein, called an &#8220;IV.&#8221; People who are very sick might need treatment in the hospital.</p>
<p>Healthy people with Listeria that affects the digestive system don&#8217;t usually need treatment. The infection usually goes away on its own in about two days.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Can Listeria be prevented?</span></h2>
<p>You can reduce your chances of getting Listeria by paying attention to food safety. Tips include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese or foods made with them</li>
<li>Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them</li>
<li>Keep the refrigerator colder than 40°F (4.4°C) and the freezer below 0°F (-18 °C)</li>
<li>Cook meat and seafood until well done</li>
<li>Cook eggs until the yolk is firm</li>
<li>Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after they touch raw food</li>
</ul>
<p>Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should also be extra careful and avoid foods such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Raw milk</li>
<li>Soft cheeses (including Mexican-style cheeses like queso blanco)</li>
<li>Hot dogs</li>
<li>Deli meats</li>
<li>Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads</li>
<li>Smoked seafood (such as lox)</li>
</ul>
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Understand that there is another dangerous bacteria found in certain foods, which poses severe risks for specific groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.

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Listeria: The Hidden Threat in Your Food

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