Overview
Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It can be serious for pregnant women, people older than 65, and those with weakened immune systems. The infection is commonly linked to improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products. While healthy individuals may not show symptoms, it can be fatal for unborn babies, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and irritability. If you experience these symptoms after consuming a recalled food or a potentially contaminated product, consult your doctor. Seek emergency care if you have a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or sensitivity to light, as these can indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of a listeria infection may include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, little interest in feeding, irritability, fever, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can occur a few days after consuming contaminated food and may take up to 30 days or more to appear. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Listeria infection can lead to life-threatening complications such as generalized blood infection, meningitis, and even death in some cases. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you have a fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea after consuming a potentially contaminated product.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing listeria infection include:
- Skipping vaccinations: Not completing the recommended childhood or adult vaccination schedule increases the risk of infection.
- Age: Listeria infections are more common in young children and adults under 65 years old.
- Living in a community setting: College students living in dormitories, military personnel, and children in boarding schools and child care facilities have a higher risk due to the bacterium's easy transmission through respiratory routes.
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women have a higher risk of contracting an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.
- Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems, such as those over 65, with AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy, or having diabetes, kidney disease, or taking certain medications, are more susceptible to listeria infection.
Development
Listeria infection can develop in different ways, depending on factors such as the type of food consumed, the individual's immune system, and the presence of other health conditions. Here's a brief overview of how listeria infections can develop:
- Foodborne transmission: Listeria bacteria can contaminate various types of food, including deli meats, unpasteurized milk products, and raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the soil or contaminated manure used as fertilizer. When people consume these contaminated foods, they can develop a listeria infection.
- Pregnancy and newborns: Listeria infections in pregnant women may not cause severe symptoms but can lead to complications in the unborn baby. In newborns, the infection can be life-threatening and may cause symptoms such as little interest in feeding, irritability, fever, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
- Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems, such as those older than 65, people with AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, and others with diabetes, kidney disease, or taking certain medications, are at higher risk of developing severe listeria infections. These infections can lead to complications like meningitis, blood infections, and other life-threatening conditions. To prevent listeria infections, follow proper food safety guidelines, including washing hands, surfaces, and utensils, cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding high-risk foods for those with weakened immune systems.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
You should see a doctor if you have symptoms of listeria infection, including fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, little interest in feeding, irritability, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or sensitivity to light. These symptoms could indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection. It is essential to seek emergency care if you experience these symptoms.
Diagnosis
To diagnose a listeria infection, a blood test is often the most effective way. In some cases, samples of urine or spinal fluid may also be tested. If you have eaten food that has been recalled due to listeria contamination, you should see a doctor only if you have signs and symptoms of a listeria infection.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Listeria infection can lead to life-threatening complications, including:
- Generalized blood infection (sepsis)
- Inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis)
- Infections in the womb or newborns, which can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening illness in the infant. These complications are more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with certain medical conditions. To prevent a listeria infection, follow simple food safety guidelines, such as keeping things clean, washing hands thoroughly, and properly storing and cooking food.
Prevention
Listeria infection can be prevented by following simple food safety guidelines. To prevent a listeria infection, you should:
- Keep things clean: Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after handling or preparing food. After cooking, use hot, soapy water to wash the utensils, cutting boards, and other food preparation surfaces.
- Be cautious with certain foods: Avoid eating the types of food most likely to contain listeria bacteria if you are at higher risk of serious infections. This includes raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the soil or from contaminated manure used as fertilizer, contaminated meat, and unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk.
- Cook food properly: Cook meat, including hot dogs and deli meat, to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to reduce the risk of listeria infection, especially if you are pregnant.
- Cover your mouth: When you need to cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of germs. By following these guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of contracting a listeria infection.
Home Remedies
It is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of listeria infection.