Julianne's Health Corner: Listeria Infection

It feels like its been about a hundred years since I learned what the dangers of listeria bacteria entailed. With the recent cantaloupe scare in the past few weeks, I thought it was important to brush up on what the symptoms looked like and as a result, I decided share what I found with each of you.

Where Is Listeria Bacteria Found?

Listeria bacteria is mainly found in feces, soil and water.

How Are Humans Infected?

Studies have shown that humans generally contract listeria infection by consuming raw fruits and vegetables, animals, unpasturized milk or foods made with unpasturized milk, some processed foods like hot dogs, deli meats and soft cheeses that have been contaminated with bacteria known as Listeria Monocytogenes.

Did You Know There's An Incubation Period?

Apparently, listeria infection may go through an incubation period that ranges anywhere from 3 to 70 days. The average incubation period is approximately 21 days.

What Are The Symptoms?

Listeria has the capability of infecting multiple areas of the body to include but not be limited to the brain, heart, central nervous system and other important systems. Anyone who contracts listeria infection might experience all or a combination of ay of the following symptoms:

• Muscle Aches
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headaches, Stiff Neck
• Confusion
• Problems with Balance

Clearly many of these symptoms could mimic other medical conditons. That is why it is important to seek medical advice should one begin to experience any combination of these symptoms.

Who Is At Risk for Being Infected?

There is a specific group or population that is at the greatest risk for infection. This includes:

• Persons with weakened immune systems
• People who have the following conditions: HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Diabetes, Kidney Disease
• People who takes prednisone or cortisone
• The elderly
• Transplant recipients
• Newborns
• Pregnant women

Why Is There So Much Concern Regarding Pregnant Women?

Interestingly enough, research has shown that pregnant women are more susceptible to this infection. They are nearly twenty-times more at risk, than the general population of women to contract listeria infection. Aside from a mild fever before or during labor for the mother, the unborn fetus is at a greater risk to suffer complications should the mother become infected. It can lead to:

• Infection
• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Newborn sepsis

How is Listeria Treated?

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat infections.

How to Protect Yourself

Listeria infection among humans is considered to be rare however there are some things you an do to decrease your chance for exposure. This may include avoiding high risk foods (i.e. those listed previously as well as ready-to-eat seafood, pre-cooked meat products, soft-serve ice creams, pre-prepared salads). Make sure you properly handle your foods. Other tips include:

• Wash your hands before preparing food and between handling raw and ready-to-eat foods.
• Store raw meat, raw poultry and raw fish on the lowest shelves of your refrigerator to prevent them dripping onto cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
• Strictly observe use-by or best-before dates on refrigerated foods.
• Do not handle cooked foods with the same utensils (tongs, knives, cutting boards) used on raw foods, unless they have been thoroughly washed with hot soapy water between uses.
• All raw vegetables, salads and fruits should be well washed before eating or juicing, and consumed fresh.
• Defrost food by placing it on the lower shelves of a refrigerator or use a microwave oven.
• Thoroughly cook all food of animal origin, including eggs.
• Keep hot foods hot (above 60°C) and cold foods cold (at or below 5°C).