Listeria Infections
Listeria infections caused (also known as listeriosis) by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
Infection is rare but when it occurs, it most often affects pregnant women in the last three months,
Newborns, children and adults whose immunity weakened by diseases such as cancer or HIV. People who have had different
Types of transplants are also at risk for listeriosis.
Listeria bacteria may be transferred through the soil and water. A person can also ingest from eating certain foods Listeria,
such as sausages and cold cuts, soft-ripened cheese, milk, raw chicken, uncooked hot dogs, shellfish and
From contaminated cabbage slaw. However, many cases of infection have no identifiable source.
Listeria infections may create symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, shortness of breath and poor
Feeding. Pregnant women who develop listeriosis may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, but they are at risk for
Premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
Listeria can cause a wide range of infections, including gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea as "stomach
Flu "), bacteremia (bacterial infection in the blood), meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis (infection in the bone) and
Endocarditis.
People who have weakened their immune systems are particularly at risk for developing severe disease from
Listeriosis, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis.
Cases of listeriosis are relatively rare. The earlier listeriosis is detected and treated, the better, because it can
severe and life-threatening infections. And especially if you are pregnant or one of the other high-risk
Groups can avoiding certain foods and beverages reduce your risk of getting this infection.
The treatment of listeriosis
Listeriosis is usually administered with antibiotics in the hospital through an intravenous catheter (IV).
Typically, the treatment lasts for about 10 days, but this can vary depending on the body's ability to fight off the
Infection.
To develop children whose immune systems are compromised by disease or infection, such as cancer or HIV, are more likely
Listeriosis, a serious infection and may require additional treatment.
In healthy people with gastroenteritis caused by Listeria, the symptoms often recovered last only 2 days and the person
complete.
Prevent listeriosis
While there is no vaccine against the bacteria that cause listeriosis, you can help reduce the risk for your family
by these food safety precautions:
Always cook food (especially meat and eggs) thoroughly to the proper internal temperature.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
Drink only pasteurized milk, and make sure that the milk is refrigerated at the appropriate temperature is less than
40 ° F (4 ° C).
Avoid foods made from raw milk.
If you are in a high risk group, avoid soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined and Mexican-style cheese
unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pasteurized milk.
Warm meals, packaged foods - such as sausage or hot dogs - to steaming hot temperatures, especially if
you are pregnant.
Carefully wash hands and utensils after handling raw foods.
When to call the doctor
Call your doctor immediately if your child develops faster or shortness of breath, fever, poor feeding, vomiting,
Dehydration, a high-pitched crying, lethargy (excessive sleepiness) or irritability. If your child has listeriosis, the
Doctor can rule out other diseases and begin treatment.