How to recognize listeriosis in time and not die

What is listeriosis

ListeriosisListeria infection / Mayo Clinic Is a foodborne infection caused by a special type of bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes.

The disease is considered rare: no moreListeriosis / WHO 10 cases per million people annually. But doctors take her very seriously. The fact is that in some people the infection spreads to the central nervous system and can provoke a serious complication - bacterial meningitis. Every fifth infected person in this case dies.

Who is at risk

According toListeriosis / WHO WHO, most often with severe complications of listeriosis are faced with:

• pregnant women;
• newborns;
• people over 65;
• those with a weakened immune system. These are, for example, people after internal organ transplants and those who are being treated for cancer or AIDS.

But even if you are not at risk, it is impossible to predict exactly how the infection will proceed in your case. Therefore, it is important to do everything so as not to encounter Listeria. And consult a doctor in time in case of infection.

Where does listeriosis come from

In fact, Listeria monocytogenes is everywhere. They can be found in soil, dirty water, gastrointestinal tract and animal faeces.

Listeria have a peculiarityListeriosis / WHO: Unlike many other pathogens, they thrive at low temperatures. Therefore, they actively reproduce, for example, in refrigerators.

Your risk of contracting listeriosis is increased if you useListeria infection / Mayo Clinic:

• raw vegetables and fruits that have not been washed well;
• uncooked meat;
• raw foods that have been stored in the refrigerator for a long time;
• unpasteurized milk;
• ready-made foods such as soft cheese, hot dogs, various meats, salads that have been exposed to listeria (for example, from someone else's dirty hands).

Unborn babies can get listeriosis from the mother. This often leads to miscarriage or fetal death, but if the baby survives, it may show signs of illness soon after birth.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis

SignsListeria infection / Mayo Clinic infections varyListeria (Listeriosis) / FDA depending on the severity of the disease and age.

Symptoms of listeriosis in newborns

In infants, signs of infection may not be very noticeable at first. Increasing symptoms include:

• lack of appetite;
• anxiety;
• high fever;
• vomiting;
• labored breathing.

The symptoms of listeriosis in everyone else

Light form

In people with strong immunity - both children and adults - the infection manifests itself as familiar to many intestinal flu:

• heat;
• chills;
• muscle pain;
• nausea up to vomiting;
• diarrhea.

These mild signs of the disease appear within hours to three days after infection.

Severe form

With damage to the nervous system, the incubation period can stretch up to three months. Then appear:

• Strong headache;
• Stiffness (muscle stiffness) of the neck
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light;
• confused consciousness;
• balance problems;
• convulsions.

When to see a doctor

Be sure to consult a physician as soon as possible if you feel unwell after eating a potentially listeria-contaminated food. For a newborn child who has signs of infection, a pediatrician should be called, regardless of what the mother ate.

Dial 103 or 112 immediately if you experience symptoms of severe listeriosis. They completely coincide with the manifestations of meningitis, and this complication develops rapidly. If left untreated, it can lead to rapid death.

How to treat listeriosis

It depends on the severity of the disease.

Most people who have mild symptoms do not need therapy.Listeria infection / Mayo Clinic: their body is able to cope with the infection on its own. The doctor will only advise you to rest, drink more fluids and, if necessary, bring down the temperature with paracetamol or ibuprofen-based products.

Complications of listeriosis such as meningitis or dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea, are treated only in a hospital. You will be prescribed antibiotics that will be given intravenouslyListeriosis / MSD Manual.

Pregnant women with diagnosed listeriosis are also prescribed antibiotics, even if the infection only manifests itself in mild symptoms. This is necessary to protect the unborn baby from pathogens.

How to prevent listeriosis

Just like othersListeriosis / WHO foodborne infections. Experts from the American medical organization Mayo Clinic listListeria infection / Mayo Clinic prevention rules.

• Regularly wash your hands warm water and soap. Especially before eating and before and after cooking.
• If you have cut or otherwise cooked raw foods, wash everything that comes into contact with them with hot water and detergent: cutting boards, knives, plates.
• Wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating. It is best to do this with a brush under running water.
• Fry meat, poultry with high quality, bring eggs to full readiness. Listeria die during heat treatment.

If you are at risk, take extra precautions. In particular, avoid unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and semi-finished products (hot dogs, cold cuts), if they are not heated to a state of steam coming from them.

Ekaterina Komissarova