Skip to main content

Listeriosis

Listeriosis



Overview

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness. The germ Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in nature, especially in soil, groundwater, rotting vegetation and animal feces (poop).

Most people get listeriosis from eating contaminated foods. The listeriosis incubation period (the time when you first get infected and when you first show symptoms) varies. It usually takes one to two weeks, but it can be as short as a couple of days or as long as three months.

Other names for listeriosis include L. monocytogenes and listeria.

Contaminated foods are the most common cause of listeriosis infections. The most common foods that cause listeriosis include:

Hot dogs.

Deli meats.

Fresh vegetables.

Fresh fruits, especially melons.

Unpasteurized dairy products (sterilized to kill bacteria).

These foods have the highest risk of L. monocytogenes contamination. However, listeriosis can affect almost any improperly handled or prepared food.

The bacteria L. monocytogenes is unique from many other foodborne illnesses. It survives and even multiplies in low temperatures, including refrigerators and freezers. The bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels during storage.

Food that has spoiled breaks down and develops an unpleasant smell, taste or change in texture. When L. monocytogenes bacteria contaminate food, the smell, taste and texture don’t change.

Listeriosis affect

Anyone can get listeriosis. However, it isn’t as dangerous for those with a healthy immune system. Those who are at the greatest risk of becoming very ill or dying include:

Pregnant people.

Developing fetuses.

People 65 or older.

People with a weakened immune system, usually from another condition (like AIDS or cancer) or taking prescribed immunosuppressive medications.

Symptoms

Listeriosis symptoms include:

Fever.

Chills.

Headache.

Upset stomach.

Diarrhea.

Nausea and vomiting.

Muscle aches.

Confusion.

Loss of balance.

Convulsions (muscle contractions that you can’t control).

A severe listeriosis infection may spread to your bloodstream or brain. Severe infections may cause sepsis, meningitis or encephalitis.

The most common symptoms of listeriosis in pregnant people are usually fever and other flu-like symptoms, especially fatigue and muscle aches.

Listeriosis may quickly cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and death in newborn babies without timely treatment.

Listeriosis symptoms in newborn babies include:

Fever.

Vomiting.

Constant crying.

Trouble breathing (rapid breathing, short breaths and wheezing).

No interest in eating.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider can diagnose listeriosis after evaluating your symptoms and conducting medical tests. Tests may include checking the following for the presence of L. monocytogenes:

Blood.

Cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid in your brain and spinal cord).

Meconium (your baby’s first poop; it’s dark green and thicker and stickier than normal poop).

Vomit.

Food.

Animal feed.

Your healthcare provider may order bacterial culture tests on your blood or placenta if you’re pregnant.

Treatment

Your healthcare provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics to babies or if you’re pregnant, 65 or older or have a weakened immune system. Antibiotics commonly used to treat listeriosis include sulfamethoxazole (Bacter-Aid DS®) and ampicillin (Principen®).

Your provider may also prescribe medication to manage specific symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.

If you have mild symptoms, you may not need treatment.

If your baby is born with a listeriosis infection, your healthcare provider will give them antibiotics shortly after birth.

side effects of antibiotics

Side effects of antibiotics may include:

Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions may range from mild rashes and itching to skin blisters, swelling in your face and throat and difficulty breathing. Talk to your healthcare provider about any past drug reactions or allergies.

Clostridioides difficile. Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile or C. diff) is a bacteria that causes diarrhea.

Antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change and get stronger so that antibiotic medicines can’t kill them or stop their growth. Bacterial infections then become difficult to treat with medications.

Most people with a healthy immune system will feel better after a few days without treatment.

If you have a severe listeriosis infection, you should start to feel better three to five days after you start taking antibiotics.

It’s important to take your full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better. If you don’t finish your full course of antibiotics, your listeriosis may come back and be more challenging to treat.

Type of Doctor Department : Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charge Syndrome

Overview CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable genetic syndrome with known pattern of features. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. CHARGE syndrome is correlated with genetic mutation to CHD7 and the prevalence of CHARGE syndrome is 1:10,000-1:15,000 live births. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing two little girls sitting on a carpet, one girl has a trach and is biting her finger.loss, vision loss, and balance problems that delay their development and communication. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations. One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the ...
7 comments
Read more

Acral Peeling Skin Syndrome

Overview Acral peeling skin syndrome is a skin disorder characterized by painless peeling of the top layer of skin. The term "acral" refers to the fact that the skin peeling in this condition is most apparent on the hands and feet. Occasionally, peeling also occurs on the arms and legs. The peeling is usually evident from birth, although the condition can also begin in childhood or later in life. Skin peeling is made worse by exposure to heat, humidity and other forms of moisture, and friction. The underlying skin may be temporarily red and itchy, but it typically heals without scarring. Acral peeling skin syndrome is not associated with any other health problems. Symptoms The main symptom of APSS is the painless peeling of the skin. Most people can remove this skin by hand, and it may come off in sheets, similar to peeling skin after a sunburn. 1. blistering 2. itching 3. easily removable hairs If a person exposes their skin to heat, sweat, or water, they may notice that the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Legg–Calve–Perthes disease

  Legg–Calve–Perthes disease Overview Legg-Calve-Perthes (LEG-kahl-VAY-PER-tuz) disease is a childhood condition that occurs when blood supply to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint is temporarily interrupted and the bone begins to die. This weakened bone gradually breaks apart and can lose its round shape. The body eventually restores blood supply to the ball, and the ball heals. But if the ball is no longer round after it heals, it can cause pain and stiffness. The complete process of bone death, fracture and renewal can take several years. To keep the ball part of the joint as round as possible, doctors use a variety of treatments that keep it snug in the socket portion of the joint. The socket acts as a mold for the fragmented femoral head as it heals. Symptoms Symptoms of Perthes disease include: Limping. Pain or stiffness in the hip, groin, thigh or knee. Limited range of motion of the hip joint. Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Perthes diseas...
Post a Comment
Read more