What happens if your baby gets Listeria?
Babies born with listeriosis may have serious infections of the blood or brain. Listeriosis can cause lifelong health problems for your baby, including intellectual disability, paralysis, seizures, blindness, or problems with the brain, kidneys, or heart. Listeriosis also can cause death in newborns.
Is Listeria treatable in newborns?
Some newborns die from the infection. Pregnant women should avoid certain foods and properly wash their hands and kitchen equipment after handling uncooked foods. Antibiotics can cure the infection.
How soon will listeria affect my baby?
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).
Does Listeria always pass baby?
In more serious cases, listeriosis could also lead to the mother’s death. Most of the time, pregnant women who are infected with listeriosis don’t feel sick. However, they can pass the infection to their unborn babies without even knowing it. That’s why prevention of listeriosis is very important.
How do I know if I have listeria while pregnant?
How will I know if I have listeriosis? Symptoms of listeriosis may show up 2-30 days after exposure. Symptoms in pregnant women include mild flu-like symptoms, headaches, muscle aches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the nervous system it can cause a stiff neck, disorientation, or convulsions.
What is the risk of Listeria during pregnancy?
Pregnant women with a Listeria infection can pass the infection to their unborn babies. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and preterm labor. Listeria infection can cause serious illness and even death in newborns.
What to do if you have listeriosis during pregnancy?
If you’re experiencing symptoms and your doctor suspects a listeriosis infection, he may order blood or other various tests to check for the bacteria and monitor your baby’s health. If you have been infected, you’ll get a prescription for antibiotics.
How can Listeria affect me and my Baby?
Even without symptoms, you can pass the bacteria on to your baby. Listeriosis symptoms can include: Fever; Fatigue; Muscle aches; Upset stomach or diarrhea; Stiff neck; Headache; Confusion; Call your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have any symptoms of listeriosis. How could listeriosis affect me and my baby?
What’s the best way to get rid of Listeria?
Cooking and pasteurization are the only ways to kill Listeria. What other food safety guidelines should I follow? Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after touching raw food, and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or touching an animal.
How long does it take for Listeria to show up in pregnant women?
Symptoms of listeriosis may appear a week to a month after eating contaminated food, or they may not show up for a couple of months. Many pregnant women have no listeria symptoms or only mild, flu-like symptoms if they become infected. Even without symptoms, you can pass the bacteria on to your baby.