In recent days there have been many reports of people falling ill to a disease called listeriosis. This is a disease caused by eating improperly cooked meats - especially pre-packaged luncheon meats. The bacteria that causes this diseases is called Listeria monocytogenes. The disease is rare and usually affects pregnant women, newborn babies, and the elderly.
There are four distinct classifications of listeriosis.
These are:
- A pregnant woman can contract this disease during the third trimester. The symptoms are fever, muscle pain, joint pain and headache. When the condition is severe, it can result in stillbirth or premature birth.
- In newborns, the baby will likely be born with listeriosis if the mother had the disease. In many cases the expectant mother does not display any symptoms, in which case the disease passes to the baby. The bacteria can be isolated to the placenta, the blood, nose, ears or throat. The baby can also pick up the bacteria in normal childbirth as it passes through the birth canal.
- Listeriosis can affect the brain, resulting in meningitis or seizures.
- Gastroenteritis is the normal result of contracting listeriosis. Patients suffer from diarrhea for about three days. Other symptoms include fever, aches and pains, stiff neck, loss of balance and confusion.
The presence of the listeriosis bacteria is detected through blood cultures. Ampicillin is the usual medication and the length of the treatment varies according to the manner in which the bacteria affects the body. In the case of meningitis, for example, a patient must take the medication for at least six weeks.
To prevent contracting listeriosis, it is important that you be vigilant in cooking your food. All fruits and vegetables should be washed before eating. Meat should be thoroughly cooked and the cooking area be cleaned to remove all traces of blood. When cooking hot dogs, you must ensure that they are steaming hot before you remove them from the stove or microwave.
