A dangerous foodborne disease: Everything about Listeriosis

We have all experienced stomach upsets and diarrhea after eating out. But some food poisonings are not so simple to treat. Today we are talking about a type of food poisoning that can be quite dangerous, and even fatal for those who need to be especially careful. This is called Listeriosis.

Simply put, what is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes . It is a type of food poisoning. Many people also call it "listeria" for short.

Most healthy people get this infection with mild symptoms, such as fever, headache, diarrhea, or vomiting. But if you have a weakened immune system or are over 65 , you are at greater risk of developing life-threatening complications.

What are the symptoms of this infection?

Listeriosis can cause different symptoms in different people. You may not have all of these symptoms. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

How long have symptoms been present?

This is also an important issue. Symptoms can appear within a few days to two weeks after eating food containing the bacteria. In some people, symptoms may take up to a month to appear. If a pregnant mother gets this infection, she may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, there is still a risk of passing the infection to her unborn baby.

How does this Listeria bacteria get into our bodies?

Simply put, this disease is caused by consuming contaminated food or drink that contains this bacteria. This bacteria can live naturally in soil, water, and the digestive tracts of some animals. So, it can be added to things like vegetables and fruits from soil or manure. These can also be contaminated during the animal feed production process.

One of the unique features of this bacteria is that it can grow even at the low temperatures of the refrigerator. That's why some foods in the refrigerator are also risky.

What foods are most likely to contain listeria?

You should be especially careful about the following foods.

• Prepared meats: Meats that are refrigerated and eaten without heating, such as hot dogs, cold cuts, and deli meats.
• Pastes made from meat: For example, pâté and meat spreads that are eaten on bread.
• Smoked fish: Fish, such as lox, that is smoked at low temperatures instead of being cooked.
• Soft cheeses: Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, such as Brie, Camembert, and queso fresco.
• Unpasteurized milk and dairy products: Pasteurization is a process that kills germs. Unpasteurized milk, cheese, and ice cream are things like that.
• Unpasteurized fruit drinks: Drinks like apple cider.
• Vegetables and fruits that are eaten raw without washing: Especially fruits with a rind like watermelon and cantaloupe, you should wash the rind well before cutting them. This is because bacteria can be present on the rind and get inside with the knife when cutting.
• Sprouts: Things that are eaten raw, like green bean sprouts.
• Raw sushi is made with raw fish.

Who is most at risk from this?

People who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from listeriosis include:

• Pregnant mothers: Their immune systems naturally change slightly during pregnancy, making them more susceptible to infections.
• People over 65 years of age: Due to the weakening of the immune system as we age.
• People with a weakened immune system: Due to medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or those taking immunosuppressive medications.
• Newborn babies: Because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.

What are the possible complications of listeriosis?

This bacterial infection, which starts in the digestive system, can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, causing serious complications.

A child infected with listeriosis at birth or someone whose infection spreads to the brain can have long-term health problems , such as developmental delays, blindness, paralysis, and seizures.

How do you know for sure if you have this disease?

If your symptoms are just a simple stomach ache, most people won't test you. But if your doctor suspects this after asking about your symptoms and what you've eaten recently, they can confirm it with tests.

The presence of this bacteria can usually be detected by a blood culture or, if necessary, by examining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In the case of a pregnant mother, this can also be confirmed by examining a portion of the placenta after delivery.

How is it treated?

Since this is a bacterial infection, it is treated with antibiotics . It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor for the full duration. It is not a good idea to stop taking the medication as soon as you feel better. Doing so can cause the infection to come back.

If you are healthy, not pregnant, and not at risk for serious complications, you may be able to recover in a few days without treatment. But that is up to your doctor to decide.

When should you see a doctor?

Be sure to seek medical advice in the following cases:

• If you are pregnant, over 65 years of age, or have a weakened immune system and have symptoms of listeriosis.
• If you recently found out that something you ate has been recalled due to listeria, especially if you are pregnant.
• If your little one is showing symptoms of listeriosis.
• If symptoms do not improve even after a few days of starting antibiotics.

What should we do to protect ourselves from this?

The best way to avoid this is to be concerned about food safety.

• Avoid unpasteurized milk and products. When buying anything from the store, look for the label and see if it says "pasteurized."
• Wash hands, cutting boards, knives, and kitchen surfaces thoroughly with soap before and after preparing food.
• Wash raw vegetables and fruits, especially fruits with peels like watermelon, with a brush under running water.
• Cook hot dogs, eggs, and seafood until they are thoroughly cooked. The internal temperature should be at least 74 degrees Celsius (165°F).
• If you are pregnant, do not eat refrigerated items like pâté and meat spreads. If you eat lunch meat, heat it well until it is smoking.
• Clean up spills from meat and fish in the refrigerator immediately. Keep raw meat on the lowest shelf.

For the average person, food poisoning can be a mild illness that lasts for a day or two and then goes away. But bacteria like Listeria can sometimes cause serious health problems. If you are in a risk group, be especially mindful of food safety and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

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