Everything You Need to Know about Listeria Exposure and Pregnancy

If you’re newly pregnant, no doubt you have been starting to learn about all the things you can and can’t do and what you should and shouldn’t have. And you’ve probably started hearing about illnesses and how to handle them too. One to look out for is listeriosis, which is caused by bacteria called listeria. Here’s everything you need to know about it from what it is to what you can do about it.

What is it?
Listeria is a bacterium that causes an illness called listeriosis. It’s a food-borne illness, meaning you have to eat foods that are contaminated with the listeria monocytogenes bacteria in order to catch it.

Your risk during pregnancy
While the odds of being infected with listeriosis are very small, your odds are 13 times higher during pregnancy. Plus, the potential of it causing a problem in your pregnancy is higher because it enters your bloodstream directly, which means it can get right to your baby through the placenta. Untreated, it puts your baby at a greater risk of serious complications from miscarriage to preterm labor and more.

What are the symptoms?
It’s sometimes hard to detect listeriosis because symptoms can develop up to 2 months after you’ve ingested contaminated food, plus symptoms can vary from mild to severe. If you suspect food you ate might be contaminated, keep an eye out for flu-like symptoms including a fever over 100.6°F, muscle pains, back and headaches, plus gastrointestinal upset such as in the form of diarrhea.

What to do if you think you’ve been exposed
Mostly, all that you need to do is keep a watchful eye on the situation. If you’re having symptoms of listeriosis, let your doctor know. He or she can run some blood tests to check for the bacteria and monitor your baby’s health. In the rare event that you have been exposed to listeria and have listeriosis, you’ll be given a prescription for antibiotics.

Take preventative measures
To avoid getting listeriosis, don’t consume foods that are most likely to be contaminated including hot dogs, lunch meats or cold cuts that are cold or heated lower than 165 degrees; pâté and meat spreads; smoked seafood; unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses; unpasteurized fresh fruit and veggie juice; unwashed, raw produce; alfalfa and other sprouts.

Additionally, when preparing your foods, it’s a good idea to clean even pre-washed vegetables and fruits thoroughly to be on the safe side. You should also steer clear of any restaurant that doesn’t keep clean habits. While you can’t avoid everything, it’s important to remember that the risk of getting listeriosis is very low. Focus on eating healthy while taking these simple precautions to take of the baby growing within you, not to mention you yourself.

 

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