Image from FDA
Hi there! Welcome to MakeFoodSafe.com, where we help people who have become sick with food poisoning. Today, we are here to answer the web’s most searched questions about Listeria.
Let’s get started!
It is no surprise that questions about Listeria are some of the most searched for topics on the Internet. There has been so much scary news about this germ recently.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. The agency estimates around 1,600 people are infected with Listeria each year and 260 people die from those infections.
Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
How long does it take to get sick? That is a complicated answer.
You see, Listeria is capable of causing two different types of infections. It starts as an intestinal illness. Many people recover from this type of illness and the story ends there.
For some people, the story takes a turn for the worse. The infection turns invasive. This usually begins within two weeks of initial symptoms. Just as diarrheal symptoms are improving.
Good question. Complicated. But good.
Intestinal and invasive illness affect different parts of the body. As such, each illness associated with Listeria infections has its own set of symptoms.
For intestinal illness, diarrhea and vomiting are common. These symptoms are usually mild. But they can evolve into more invasive illnesses.
Invasive illness has more serious symptoms. It also becomes more complicated, depending on whether or not the person is pregnant. The bacterial infection behaves differently, based on pregnancy status. Both odd and tragic.
People who are not pregnant generally experience more severe personal symptoms while those who are pregnant do not feel as sick.
Common symptoms in non-pregnant people include fever, flu-like symptoms (muscle aches and fatigue), headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and/or seizures.
Nearly one in six non-pregnant people die from their infection.
Invasive illness in non-pregnant people has potentially severe consequences on the pregnancy. While personal symptoms can be mild, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Listeria intestinal illness symptoms usually pass within three days. Invasive illness can persist for much longer.
How is Salmonella treated? That depends on the type and severity of illness.
For example, a non-pregnant person with intestinal illness will likely be prescribed rest and fluids. Antibiotics are only necessary for those who are very sick or at risk of becoming very sick (children under five, adults over 65, pregnant people, and those with a weakened immune system).
Invasive illness is generally treated with antibiotics.
You can prevent Listeria infections by doing the usual things.
Washing your hands before eating, after using the bathroom or helping someone in the bathroom, and after changing diapers. Also washing your hands before you prepare or serve meals. Pretty much the biggest rule of thumb to reduce risk of all foodborne illness is to wash you hands.
So please… Wash your hands!
Also, wash your fruits and vegetables. Even the ones that don’t look like they need to be washed.
I’m looking at you, avocado!
You should also avoid risky foods, especially if you are pregnant or at higher risk of infection. These include (but are not limited to) raw (unpasteurized) milk and juice, raw or undercooked eggs, meat, and seafood, and sprouts.
That’s a good one!
Listeria can be found in the feces of infected humans and animals.
This leads us to the next question.
One of the web’s most asked questions about Listeria is how you get it.
People become infected with Listeria bacteria by swallowing it.
This could happen by eating something contaminated with the germ, like raw milk or juices or fresh fruits and vegetables that have come in contact with contaminated water or transferred from an animal.
It can also be picked up on the hand of an unsuspecting person who touches something contaminated and then eats or puts their hands in or near their mouth.
This goes back to some wise words of someone famous (maybe). Wash your dang hands!
Absolutely! Listeria is very contagious. Which can be a problem. It can easily be passed from one person to another if they do not properly wash their hands.
No. Listeria is actually a type of bacteria. Both viruses and bacteria can be foodborne, and both can make you sick. But Listeria is a bacteria.
Yes! Listeria is very dangerous. Nearly one in six non-pregnant people die from the illness. The infection can have tragic consequences on the pregnancy and/or newborn in those who are pregnant.
Very good question!
Technically, Listeria bacteria can contaminate just about any food. It is, after all, typically foodborne. However, there are some foods more commonly associated with Listeria infections than others.
Past Listeria outbreaks in the United States have been linked to:
Thanks for reading today’s topic, the web’s most asked questions about Listeria on MakeFoodSafe.com.
For this, and more about food safety topics in the news, check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
If you have been impacted by a Listeria infection and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Listeria lawyer that can help! Call (833) 330-3663 or fill out the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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