Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteria:
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacteria that is responsible for more food-poisoning fatalities than any other, even Salmonella or E. coli. Listeria monocytogenes is especially dangerous for pregnant women.
Where Listeria Monocytogenes is Found:
The Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are found in up to ten percent of human intestinal tracts, as well as other mammals and birds, and even fish and shellfish. An unusually stubborn pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes can multiply even in foods stored in the refrigerator, and the standard procedures of freezing, drying and heating are not always effective at eradicating it.
How Listeria Monocytogenes is Transmitted:
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are typically transmitted by way of ready-to-eat foods like hot dogs, lunch meats and cold cuts, sausages and other smoked and cured meats and seafoods, as well as soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk products.
Listeria Symptoms:
Listeria monocytogenes poisoning, or listeriosis, is something of a stealth illness in the sense that it has a very long incubation period — as long as 70 days in some cases. Thus, you could consume food that was contaminated with Listeria and not feel any symptoms for over two months. With that kind of lag time, it's not likely that you'd make the connection between your symptoms and the food that got you sick. In most cases of listeria poisoning, the symptoms appear in about three weeks.
The early symptoms of listeriosis include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, an upset stomach and diarrhea. Later symptoms can include a stiff neck, dizziness and even convulsions. In pregnant women, listeriosis is especially dangerous as it can cause miscarriage or premature delivery. You can read more here about food poisoning symptoms.
The early symptoms of listeriosis include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, an upset stomach and diarrhea. Later symptoms can include a stiff neck, dizziness and even convulsions. In pregnant women, listeriosis is especially dangerous as it can cause miscarriage or premature delivery. You can read more here about food poisoning symptoms.
Preventing Listeria Monocytogenes:
The threat of illness from Listeria monocytogenes is the reason pregnant women are generally advised to avoid eating foods like deli meats, pâtés and other meat spreads, smoked salmon and other smoked fish. Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert and blue-veined cheeses like Gorgonzola should also be avoided, unless they specifically state that they are made with pasteurized milk. Deli-made salads like chicken salad, ham salad, tuna salad and seafood salads are also potential sources of Listeria monocytogenes and should be avoided by pregnant women and others who are at high risk of food poisoning because of compromised immune systems.
More Food-Borne Pathogens:
More Food-Borne Pathogens:
