How big of a risk is Listeria in pregnancy?
About 1,600 people get sick from Listeria each year, and about 260 die. Pregnant women and their newborns are much more likely to get a Listeria infection, which is called listeriosis. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other people to get Listeria infection.
What happens if a pregnant woman gets Listeria?
During pregnancy, a listeria infection is likely to cause only mild signs and symptoms in the mother. The consequences for the baby, however, can be devastating — the baby can die in the womb or have a life-threatening infection within a few days of being born.
How common is Listeria poisoning in pregnancy?
Although the CDC states that pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become infected than non-pregnant healthy adults, the number of cases of listeriosis in pregnant women is about 17%.
What are the signs of Listeria in pregnancy?
In pregnant women, listeriosis may have no symptoms at all, or the symptoms may be very general and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes diarrhoea. The symptoms can take a few days or even up to six weeks to appear.
How long does it take for Listeria to affect a fetus?
Early onset listeriosis develops 1-2 days after birth, and the baby often has signs of a serious bacterial infection. Late onset listeriosis occurs 1-2 weeks after birth, and usually includes symptoms of meningitis ( a condition where there are areas of swelling around the brain and spinal cord in the baby).
When do you get tested for Listeria in pregnancy?
An exposed pregnant woman with a fever higher than 38.1°C (100.6°F) and signs and symptoms consistent with listeriosis for whom no other cause of illness is known should be simultaneously tested and treated for presumptive listeriosis.
How long does it take for Listeria to affect fetus?
Listeriosis symptoms during pregnancy Listeriosis can be hard to detect, partly because symptoms can develop up to two months after eating contaminated food and can vary from severe to mild.
Can a baby survive Listeria?
However, the infection can have grave consequences for your developing baby, especially if you’re not treated promptly. Listeria can infect the placenta, the amniotic fluid, and the baby, and can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Infected babies who survive are likely to be born prematurely.
What foods cause Listeria in pregnancy?
Foods at high risk of carrying listeria include:
- foods at ready-to-eat salad bars, sandwich bars and delicatessens.
- ready-to-eat meals.
- soft and semi-soft cheeses.
- unwashed raw vegetables.
- soft-serve ice cream.
- raw shellfish and seafood.
- unpasteurised dairy products.
- cold cured or prepared meats.
How often does Listeria cause miscarriage?
If the infection occurs during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, 26% of cases could end up in stillbirths, uterine fetal loss, or abortion.