Listeriosis-Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

Listeriosis is also known as Listeria which is an infectious physical condition caused due to bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes. Conventional bacterial infection has its influence at only one or two places of the body. However, in case of listeria infections symptoms are noticed at more than one part of the body like brain, blood circulation and spinal cord membrane.

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Who are at higher chances of developing the disease?

Listeriosis may affect anyone; however, people who are more prone to the disease may include infants, aged individuals, pregnant females etc. Even people who have weak immune system may also get affected due to Listeria virus. There are fewer chances that average adults and healthy children may be afflicted by Listeria, but the condition may seldom turn to be a serious physical condition.

In which season Listeria is highly recorded?

Listeriosis is an infection that does not have any particular season wherein its infection is at peak. It should be known that the Listeria infection may affect people during anytime of the year. Rather than associating the disease with seasons in a year it would be wise to say that having unclean food or maintaining no cleanliness may cause Listeriosis.

Listeriosis possible symptoms:

The symptoms of Listeria infection may vary drastically as the condition shows its symptoms at several parts of the body. In case of Meningoencephalitis, the outbreak of the adverse physical condition, one may also suffer from signs and symptoms such as high fever, uncontrollable or intolerable head ache, queasiness, vomiting or possibilities of meningeal issues. There are also chances that one may also observe lesions on skin at different regions of the body; this is also a primary symptom of the condition. It should be known that the prevalence of symptoms of Listeriosis may be difficult to determine as its symptoms may also resemble to most other diseases or disorders.

Transmission of Listeria virus:

Listeria is transmitted through nature as it can be detected in water as well as soil. Some other sources may include animal who are carrier of the virus as well as many other sources. In considerable amount of cases it is also recorded that Listeriosis is also a food borne illness and can affect from source such as unpasteurized milk, contaminated fruits, poultry products as well as contaminated vegetables. In case of a pregnant woman with Listeriosis, there are chances that the condition may be passed on to the unborn baby during the time of birth. Coming in direct contact with Listeria may lead to skin issues such as lesions etc.

Occurrence of symptoms:

Incubation period of Listeriosis infection may vary drastically. The incubation of the infection may range anyway from 3 day to 70 days; however the symptoms of the infection are experienced usually within 30 days after the affliction of the infection.

Listeriosis treatment

The objective of Listeriosis may focus on providing relief to the patient from the symptoms as well as eradicate the virus causing infection in the body. The patient may be treated with antibiotics to counteract and eradicate organisms. Ampicillin, may be given to the patient either directly or in combination with other efficacious antibiotic that may help in curing Listeriosis.

Listeriosis in Pregnancy

Listeriosis in pregnancy is important to watch out for because the above mentioned Listeria bacteria found in contaminated foods can be a problem to you as well as your baby. Pregnant women are 20 times prone to Listeriosis rather than non-pregnant healthy adults. The bacteria is found in unpasteurized milk and milk foods, uncooked meat, raw, unwashed vegetables and processed foods. You will find listeria also in fast foods like hot dogs because contamination can trigger after cooking and prior to packaging. An estimated 2,500 people fall ill due to Listeriosis each year in the US, and among these 500 die; and 27 percent of the people are preganant women.

Symptoms of Listeriosis can begin to show 2 to 30 days after the bacterial invasion. In the beginning the pregnant woman gets flu-like symptoms, muscle, head-aches, vomiting etc. When the disease begins to spread to the nervous system, she may suffer from convulsions, distortions, nausea and stiff neck. It is seen that the symptoms of listeria are more common in women during their third pregnancy trimester, during the time when the immune system is suppressed the most. So, if you suffer from any of these symptoms, please get in touch with your health care provider.

Symptoms of listeriosis may show up 2-30 days after exposure. Symptoms in pregnant women include mild flu-like

Can listeriois harm the baby?

If you are pregnant and suffer from Listeriosis, then the following can happen

1. Misscarriage

2. Infection to the newborn

3. Premature Delivery

4. Death to the newborn (23 percent still birth cases)

However early treatment for Listeriosis can prevent infection the fetus and death.

Listeriosis treatment in pregnancy

The disease can be treated with antibiotics during pregnancy. These can thwart the infection to the fetus. These antibiotics also work for newborns who have Listeriosis.

Prevent Listeriosis

This can be done by ensuring one practices safe hygiene and avoids contaminated, stale foods

• Wash all fruits and vegetables.

• Cook food at required temperatures and reheat foods till they are steaming hit (160 F).

• Keep your refrigerator temperature below 40 degrees

• Clean your fridge often

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1 Comment

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