Listeria, also known as Listeriosis, is a bacteria that is more commonly passed onto pregnant women than other healthy adults. Listeria contaminates water and soil, and both vegetables and meat products can become tainted, as animals feed from infected ground. Listeria is only found in uncooked meats and vegetables and in unpasteurized milk products, and pregnant women should take great care to avoid eating any contaminated food items.
Reducing Your Risk of Listeria
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, listeria is found in many unpasteurized milk products. Do not eat soft, unpasteurized cheeses, including feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, queso cotijo, Panela, Brie, and others. It is fine to consume hard cheeses or pasteurized products including cheddar cheese, mozzarella and monterey jack.
Listeria is also found in hot dogs, cold cuts or deli meats, unless they are reheated or heated to steaming (over 160 F). Eating sandwiches that do not include these items is fine (such as roasted chicken or meatball sandwiches). Listeria is also found in pate, meat spreads, and refrigerated smoked seafood. It is also unwise to eat any raw seafood or sushi.
To avoid bringing listeria into the home, wash and peel all fruits and vegetables carefully. Keep raw meat separate from all other food items. Clean all cooking surfaces, and make sure to cook food at proper temperatures and reheat food until it is steaming hot. All food should be cooked to at least 160 F to be safe. Refrigerate leftovers promptly, making sure the temperature in your refrigerator is set to at least 40 F, and below O F for the freezer. Clean the refrigerator often as meat juices may have spilled onto the shelves.
Symptoms of Listeriosis
If a woman is pregnant and she thinks she may have contacted listeria, she should go to the hospital immediately. Symptoms typically appear anywhere from two days to one month after exposure. Symptoms of listeria poisoning during pregnancy include:
- Mild flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhea or upset stomach
- Stiff neck
- Disorientation or dizziness
- Convulsions
Consequences of Having Listeriosis
If a woman is pregnant and is infected with Listeriosis, she may experience:
- Infection of the uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, and the baby
- Miscarriage
- Premature delivery
- Infection passed to the newborn, including blood infections, meningitis, and lesions on major organs
- 22% of cases result in stillbirth of the baby
Treatment of Listeriosis
Early treatment can save a baby’s life. If antibiotics are given early on, it can prevent infection spreading to the fetus. If a newborn has already contracted listeria, they will also be given antibiotics.
Listeria is a serious illness that does infect pregnant women more often than other adults. Pregnant women should put special care and consideration into what they eat both at home and in restaurants. Just paying attention to labels and menus can be enough to save a newborn’s life.
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