Listeria Monocytogenes Symptoms

Listeria Monocytogenes Symptoms - Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, which can cause meningitis or encephalitis. It is a common foodborne illness associated with dairy products, raw meat, raw vegetables and raw or smoked fish. Outbreaks of listeriosis occur sporadically and cannot be traced easily.

Symptoms of listeriosis

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of listeriosis include fever and muscle aches. Victims may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, the victim may develop meningitis or encephalitis, which may have symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions, as well as fever and muscle aches. Pregnant women may experience only flu-like symptoms or may have a miscarriage or stillbirth. Listeriosis in pregnant women can also cause premature birth or infection in newborns.

Treatment of listeriosis

Treatment of listeriosis is an antibiotic. There is no special support for Listeriosis delayed first due to the onset of symptoms after infection. First aid is specific to symptoms of the victim (nausea and vomiting, headaches, seizures, etc.).

Populations at risk for listeriosis

The CDC says 2,500 people contract listeriosis each year in the United States. About 500 people will die from the disease. People who are most at risk include: (from CDC):

* Pregnant women - They are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About a third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy.

* Newborns - Newborns rather than pregnant women suffer serious effects of infection during pregnancy.

* People with weakened immune systems

* People with cancer, diabetes or kidney disease

* People with AIDS - They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.

* Those who take glucocorticosteroid medications

* Parents

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

If you eat food that was later identified as contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and is one of the risk groups listed above, contact your doctor if you are sick within 2 months of eating contaminated food.

Anyone who has eaten, later identified to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes should remember that fact. If within two months of food consumption, you have pain severe enough to require medical attention, be sure to mention the food you eat and the FDA information about the withdrawal. Read more article: What is Listeria