Listeriosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Listeriosis, otherwise known as listeria, is a food-borne illness that typically affects newborns, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with weakened immune systems. Nowadays, reported cases of listeriosis are rare, though in the past, there have been many outbreaks in many parts of the world, developed and undeveloped. If left untreated, the disease is serious and is more likely to be fatal than other food-borne illnesses.

Risk Factors for Listeriosis

When it comes to listeriosis, there are a few risk factors that may indicate if you’re more likely than others to contract the illness. For starters, the disease rarely affects those that are healthy. However, consuming products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes increases your risk of developing the condition. Other groups vulnerable to the illness include the following:

• Elderly
• Newborns
• Pregnant women

Also, if you’ve had AIDS, cancer, or any other illness that may negatively affect your immune system, you may have a higher likelihood of developing listeriosis.

Causes of Listeriosis

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Typically, the bacteria reside in a variety of different places, including animal feed, plants, soil, and human and animal feces. The bacteria may infect you if you consume contaminated food or water.

Compared to other food-borne illnesses, listeria is able to survive and grow even while refrigerated. Additionally, products contaminated with the bacteria smell, taste, and look normal, meaning if a contaminated food product isn’t cooked properly, the bacteria is likely to infect you. Some of the most common foods that carry the bacteria include fish, meat, dairy products, and vegetables.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

If you think you may have listeriosis, you may develop a variety of different symptoms between one and 90 days after consuming contaminated food or drinks. Some of the most common symptoms associated with listeria include the following:

• Cramps
• Constipation
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Persistent fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

If you contract listeriosis while pregnant, you may suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth. Newborns may also experience a low birth weight, sepsis, or meningitis.

Diagnosis of Listeriosis

If you think you may have listeriosis, contact your doctor for a check-up. During your visit with your doctor, he or she may collect blood, stool, or cerebrospinal fluid for testing to determine whether you, in fact, have listeriosis. Additionally, these tests may help your doctor understand how severe your condition is.

Treatment of Listeriosis

If you’re diagnosed with listeriosis, your doctor will likely prescribe a round of antibiotics to help combat the bacteria and alleviate any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Prognosis of Listeriosis

Fortunately, many people infected with the listeria bacteria never even experience symptoms and have great outlooks for recovery. Even if you do experience symptoms, your prognosis is good with proper treatment. However, if you’re a high-risk individual, it’s important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your prognosis will depend on a variety of factors, including your overall health, the severity of your illness, and how soon you’re able to begin antibiotic treatments.

Complications of Listeriosis

In rare cases, listeriosis results in life-threatening complications, such as the following:

• Septicemia
• Meningitis
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth