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What
is listeriosis?
Listeriosis
is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated
with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Persons
with listeriosis usually have a fever, muscle aches, and
sometimes nausea or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to
the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck,
confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions may occur.
Who
gets listeriosis?
Although
listeriosis is uncommon in the United States, anyone can
get listeriosis if they eat food contaminated with Listeria
bacteria. Although healthy persons may consume contaminated
food without becoming ill, certain persons at high risk
for infection may get listeriosis after eating food contaminated
with even a few bacteria. Persons at high risk for infection
include:
- Pregnant
women - About one third of listeriosis cases happen
during pregnancy.
- Newborns
- Newborns are very likely to suffer the serious effects
of infection during their mother's pregnancy. Infants
may be stillborn, born with septicemia (bacteria in
their blood), or develop meningitis (inflammation of
the covering of the brain or spinal cord) very early
in life, even if the mother is asymptomatic.
- Persons
with weakened immune systems - This would include persons
with cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, AIDS, persons
who are taking glucocorticoids, or the elderly.
How
is listeriosis spread?
You
get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria
bacteria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their
mothers eat contaminated food during their pregnancy.
L.
monocytogenes is found in soil and water. Vegetables
can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used
as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacteria without appearing
ill and can contaminate foods of animal origin, such as
meats and dairy products. Listeria has been found
in raw foods, such as meat and vegetables, and in processed
foods that become contaminated after processing, such as
soft cheeses and cold cuts. Unpasteurized (raw) milk or
foods made from unpasteurized milk may contain the bacteria.
How
soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms
have been noted to occur within as few as 3 to as many as
70 days after consumption of a contaminated food, and most
commonly within 3 weeks.
How
is listeriosis diagnosed?
Listeriosis
is diagnosed by a test of the blood or spinal fluid.
What
is the treatment for listeriosis?
When
infection occurs during pregnancy, antibiotics given promptly
to the pregnant woman can often prevent infection of the
fetus or newborn. Babies with listeriosis receive the same
antibiotics as adults. Even with prompt treatment, some
infections result in death. This is particularly likely
in the elderly and in persons with other serious medical
problems.
How
can listeriosis be prevented?
The
risk of listeriosis can be reduced by following guidelines
similar to those used to help prevent other foodborne illnesses:
- Cook
thoroughly raw food from animals, such as beef, pork,
or poultry
- Wash
raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
- Keep
uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked
foods and ready-to- eat foods.
- Avoid
raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods made from raw milk.
- Wash
hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked
foods.
If
you are in one of the high risk categories, the following
guidelines are also suggested:
- Avoid
soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined,
and Mexican-style cheese. (Hard cheeses, processed cheeses,
cream cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt need not be
avoided.)
- Cook
until steaming hot left-over foods or ready-to-eat foods,
such as hot dogs, before eating.
- Although
the risk of listeriosis associated with foods from deli
counters is low, persons at high risk may choose to
avoid these foods or thoroughly reheat cold cuts before
eating.
Where
can I get more information?
- Your
personal doctor.
- Your
local health department listed in your telephone directory.
- The
Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology (801)
538-6191.
UTAH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
BUREAU OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
August 2001
This
fact sheet was based on the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's Preventing Foodborne Illness: Listeriosis
sheet (last updated 8/9/96).
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