Pregnant people may suffer from fever, tiredness, and muscle aches, due to listeria. At the same time, people who are not pregnant also face the same symptoms but can also have a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
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What is Listeria?
Listeria is a bacterial illness that is caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products. Listeria affects very brutally pregnant women, and people older than 65. This disease affects people’s immune systems. Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and freezing. So people at higher risk of serious infections should avoid eating the types of food most likely to contain listeria bacteria. like- Meat, ice cream, cheese, etc.
What are the first signs of listeria?
The first sign of listeria is that people start to feel fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, etc.
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Stiff neck
Symptoms during pregnancy and in newborns
During pregnancy, some women suffer from dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea – but this is uncommon. But listeria Widely affects the baby. Listeria can infect the placenta and the baby, it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Infected babies who survive are likely to be born prematurely.
Signs and symptoms of a listeria infection in a newborn
- Little interest in feeding
- Irritability
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
Causes of listeria
Listeria bacteria are mostly found in soil, water, and animal feces. People can get infected by eating vegetables and fruits that come from the soil and contaminated food.
- Smoked meat
- Deli meat
- Raw meat
- Processed meat
- Raw fruit and vegetables
- Smoked seafood
- Raw seafood
- Food made with unpasteurized milk, such as soft cheeses, ice cream, etc
Prevention of listeria
- Avoid unsafe foods
- Avoid prepared salads from delis and supermarkets
- Avoid Cold smoked fish
- Avoid raw milk and raw milk cheeses.
- Avoid Raw sprouts
- Avoid Melon that’s old or not refrigerated.
How Long Do Listeria Symptoms Last?
Symptoms may begin within 24 hours after you’ve eaten contaminated food, but it may take 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin.
How common is listeria in pregnancy?
Listeria is uncommon in pregnancy. But listeria Widely affects the baby. Listeria can infect the placenta and the baby, it can cause a miscarriage.
Where is listeria found?
Listeria bacteria are mostly found in soil, water, and animal feces. People can get infected by eating vegetables and fruits that come from the soil and contaminated food.