Listeriosis (patient information)
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Listeriosis |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S
Overview
Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health problem in the United States. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected. The risk may be reduced by following a few simple recommendations.
What are the symptoms of Listeria?
The symptoms vary with the infected person:
- In infants, symptoms of listeriosis may be seen in the first few days of life and may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
- Respiratory distress (usually pneumonia)
- Shock
- Skin rash
- Increased pressure inside the skull (due to meningitis) possibly causing suture separation
Late-appearing infection in the infant (symptoms appear age 5 days or older) and infection in children is often seen as meningitis.
- In adults, the disease may take many forms depending on what organ or organ systems are infected. It may occur as meningitis, pneumonia, septicemia, and endocarditis, or in milder form as abscesses, skin lesion, and conjunctivitis. Symptoms, in addition to fever and muscle aches, can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has "invasive" infection, in which the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
What causes Listeriosis?
You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. However, healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.
Who is at highest risk?
Vegetables, meats, and other foods you eat can get infected with the bacteria if they come in contact with contaminated soil or manure. Raw milk or products made from raw milk may carry these bacteria. If you eat the contaminated products, you may get sick. Pregnant women, developing fetuses, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems are at increased risk. The bacteria most often cause a gastrointestinal illness. In some cases, you can develop a blood infection (septicemia) or inflammation of the covering of the brain (meningitis). Infection in early pregnancy generally leads to miscarriage. The bacteria may cross the placenta and infect the developing baby. Infections in late pregnancy may lead to stillbirth or death of the infant within a few hours of birth. About half of infants infected at or near term will die.
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.
Diagnosis
If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.
Treatment options
Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of the fetus. Even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in persons with other serious medical problems.
Where to find medical care for Listeriosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Listeriosis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Listeriosis in a fetus or infant results in a poor outcome with a high death rate. Healthy older children and adults have a lower death rate.
Possible complications
Infants who survive listeriosis may have long-term neurological damage and delayed development.
Prevention
You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. However, healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.