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Dec 19, 2022 · Listeria monocytogenes infection occurs when people consume or handle contaminated food. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, symptoms of listeria usually begin within 24 hours after eating the contaminated food and can last one to three days.
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If you develop a listeria infection, you might have:
•Fever
•Chills
•Muscle aches
•Nausea
•Diarrhea
If you've eaten a food that's been recalled because of a listeria outbreak, watch for signs or symptoms of illness. If you have a fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, contact your doctor. The same goes for illness after eating a potentially contaminated product, such as foods made with unpasteurized milk or poorly heated hot dogs or deli meats.
If you have a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or sensitivity to light, seek emergency care. These signs and symptoms can indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection.
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal feces. People can get infected by eating the following:
•Raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the soil or from contaminated manure used as fertilizer
•Contaminated meat
•Unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk
•Certain processed foods — such as soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli meats that have been contaminated after processing
Unborn babies can contract a listeria infection from the mother.
Pregnant women and their babies
Pregnant women are much more susceptible to listeria infections than are other healthy adults. Although a listeria infection might cause only a mild illness in pregnant women, consequences for their babies can include:
People who have weak immune systems
This category includes people who:
Most listeria infections are so mild they can go unnoticed. However, in some cases, a listeria infection can lead to life-threatening complications, including:
•Generalized blood infection
To prevent a listeria infection, follow simple food safety guidelines:
•Keep things clean. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after handling or preparing food. After cooking, use hot, soapy water to wash the utensils, cutting boards and other food preparation surfaces.
•Scrub raw vegetables. Clean raw vegetables with a scrub brush or vegetable brush under plenty of running water.
•Cook your food thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to make sure your meat, poultry and egg dishes are cooked to a safe temperature.
•A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition
•Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
The listeriosis incubation period (the time when you first get infected and when you first show symptoms) varies. It usually takes one to two weeks, but it can be as short as a couple of days or as long as three months. Other names for listeriosis include L. monocytogenes and listeria.
Mar 1, 2022 · Overall, the illness is mild and goes away on its own, although diarrhea may last for up to 5 days. Invasive listeriosis. In some cases, listeriosis can spread outside your intestines.
Aug 12, 2024 · Mortality rates. CDC estimates that listeriosis is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness with about 260 deaths per year. Nearly everyone with listeriosis is hospitalized. The case-fatality rate is about 20%.
Aug 2, 2024 · Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. CDC estimates that each year in the United States, 1,600 people are infected with Listeria, and. 260 people die from the infection.
Jul 18, 2024 · People with invasive listeriosis usually report symptoms starting 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food; some people have reported symptoms starting as late as 70 days after exposure.
