Listeria

What should I avoid to prevent listeria?

Listeriosis

Listeriosis is an infection that is caused by the bacteria-Listeria monocytogenes. It is a serious infection and affects pregnant women and newborns. Listeriosis affects about 2,500 people every year and pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become infected with the condition. If you have AIDS, you are approximately 300 times more likely to become infected with listeriosis. However, the infection can be prevented.

If you develop listeriosis, you might feel some mild symptoms that are similar to that of a cold. However, you might also begin to experience a fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, headaches, and nausea or diarrhea. Sometimes convulsions and loss of balance may also be present. If you get listeriosis while you are pregnant, there is an icreased chance of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and your baby may be infected as well. Newborns are usually the ones that will suffer the most from the condition.

The bacteria that causes listeriosis can be found in soil, water, vegetables, uncooked meats, dairy products, soft cheeses and juices. When foods and drinks are pasteurized and cooked, the bacteria are killed. However, hot dogs and lunch meats can still carry the bacteria after they have been cooked.

listeria

It is important to follow general sanitary rules and keep a clean food preparation area while cooking to avoid becoming infected with listeriosis.

Wash your hands properly before, during and after meal preparation.
Clean all foods before eating or cooking them.
Cook foods thoroughly before consuming.
Never eat unpasteurized foods or juices.
Never drink unpasteurized milk.
Wash vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking.
Eat ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.
Do not eat hot dogs or lunch meats unless they are heated until they are STEAMING HOT.
Wash all surfaces and hands after handling hot dogs, lunch meats and deli meats.
Do not eat refrigerated, smoked seafood.
Do not eat refrigerated meat spreads. Canned spreads are generally okay.

Avoid Soft Cheeses

Brie
Camembert
Blue
Feta
Queso Blanco
Queso Fresco
Other Mexican-style cheeses

If you think that you have the symptoms of listeriosis, contact your healthcare provider immediately. A blood or spinal test can show if you have the infection. If you have tested positive for the infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics to try to prevent an infection in your growing baby.

What is the treatment for listeriosis?
During pregnancy, antibiotics are given to treat listeriosis in the mother. In most cases, the antibiotics also prevent infection of the fetus or newborn. Antibiotics are also given to babies who are born with listeriosis.

Comments: Listeria

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Happyfam - 1650 days ago.
Also wanted to add that you're not going to contract Listeria with every piece of cold meat you eat. It's POSSIBLE that the meat has been contaminated with Listeria. Also, the reason we only hear about Listeria as a concern when we're pregnant is because our immune systems as preggo's is lessened by the pregnancy. It is very common to have contracted Listeria while not pregnant and not know it because our immune system fights it off without us even knowing about it. This is all one reason why you'll read about these women who have a cold sandwich for every meal their entire pregnancy and never get sick ( ok, maybe I exaggerate a little) - the bacteria may not have infected those meats.... but why take the chance that it could happen? Same ol' story of alcohol or smoking effects - some women have smoked 3 packs a day their entire pregnancy (ahem, exaggeration) and their kid is fine... but why risk having a kid born with severe asthma and allergies when it's avoidable? Just food for thought... 'cuse me while I get something to eat.....

Happyfam - 1650 days ago.
Listeria is one infection that we can't pass off as a pregnancy myth or old wive's tale. My aunt had a cold sandwich (much like Subway - cold sliced deli meat, sliced cheese, lettuce, etc) and contracted Listeria. My cousin was born 3 months premature. He was the size of a forearm. He was in NICU for a very gruelling 3 months. Please, please heat your meats to steaming to kill off that bacteria that MAY be there. It's not worth taking the chance of losing your baby. I agree that it's a pain in the arse - last weekend we went to a luncheon and the only food there were cold sandwiches. ARGH! I was starving (as is a constant for me still - 16 wks along), but I chose to heat the sandwich regardless. Yes, it wasn't as good as it was cold, but having seen someone go through almost losing her baby I wasnt going to take the chance. I, for one, can hardly wait for sushi!!!!!!!! Ugh, 6 more months to go.

circle - 1664 days ago.
anyone know if you are more prone to listeria when traveling in foreign countries? i am supposed to be visiting my relatives in cuba in two weeks. i have spent a lot of time there and never been sick, but i'm wondering if i am more susceptible to getting something while pregnant. my doctor has said it's okay but for some reason i'm still nervous! does anyone know if i should cancel the trip or am i just being silly?