Listeria
[li-steer-ee-uh]
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Listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria, is an important public health problem in the United States. Older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are especially at-risk for listeriosis. Although rare, Listeria can affect persons not generally considered at-risk. Reduce your risk by safely preparing, eating and storing food.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Listeria targets pregnant women and their babies, people with weakened immune systems, and those 65 years or older.
- A person with listeriosis may have diarrhea, other intestinal upset, fever, and muscle aches.
- Listeriosis is an 'invasive' infection. The bacteria spreads beyond the intestines.
- Listeria can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus or newborn.
- Listeria can cause miscarriage and stillbirth; in a newborn, it can cause bloodstream infection, meningitis, or death.
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Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Even with prompt treatment, some listeriosis cases result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in persons with other serious medical problems.
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If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your doctor immediately. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.
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Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush and dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel. Separate uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
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Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get listeriosis. Persons with weakened immune systems (for example, due to cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, or liver or kidney disease) are also at high risk. Newborn babies and older adults are also at risk.
Prevention Tips
- Wash hands, knives, countertops, and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.
- Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources—such as beef, pork, or poultry—to a safe internal temperature.
- Rinse peeled and unpeeled raw produce—such as fruits and vegetables—thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking.
- Clean up all spills in your refrigerator right away–especially juices from hot dog and lunch meat packages, raw meat, and raw poultry.
- Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk, and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.
- Page last reviewed: March 3, 2016
- Page last updated: March 3, 2016
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Page maintained by: Office of Associate Director of Communication, Division of Public Affairs