All you can think about is the belly ache that came on this afternoon. “Not again,” you think. “I just had the stomach flu last year.”
The thing is that this bug feels somehow different than the traditional stomach virus. In addition to gastrointestinal issues, you have a massive headache and fever. And your muscles feel like you’ve worked out every day for a month.
You try Pepto-Bismol, but that doesn’t cut it. Nothing does. The symptoms just keep getting worse.
A day later, you break down and go to the doctor. It’s then that you receive a shocking diagnosis.
Tests reveal that you’ve contracted listeriosis.
Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by bacteria known as Listeria.
This bacteria is found in soil, water and some animals, including poultry and livestock. Raw milk and foods made with raw milk may be exposed to listeria, and it can live in food processing plants that produce meats like cold cuts.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis is a major public health problem. In fact, it recently became a reality for some American consumers when soft cheese manufactured by Karoun Daries was linked to this health hazard. Thirty cases of listeriosis in 10 different states were diagnosed, which resulted in 28 hospitalizations and three deaths.
Listeria is unique because it can survive in conditions that would usually kill other bacteria. It even can survive and grow in the frigid temperatures of the refrigerator, according to Foodsafety.gov.
This bacteria is found in many common foods. These can include deli meats, hot dogs, meat spreads, raw dairy products (like unpasteurized milk), soft cheese that contains unpasteurized milk (like feta, brie and camembert), raw sprouts and refrigerated smoked seafood.
Though anyone can develop this illness, some have a higher risk of developing listeriosis than others. According to the CDC, “the disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, people without these risk factors can also be affected.”
A number of symptoms can indicate listeriosis. Fever and muscle aches may appear. Diarrhea, other gastrointestinal issues, stiff neck and muscle pain can be present. Further, those affected can experience confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Listeriosis can cause much harm to fetuses. Therefore, those who are expecting need to be aware of this issue. According to the CDC, a pregnant woman with listeriosis is at ris for miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Symptoms of listeriosis can differ depending upon the patient. That’s why you need to know the signs.
In older adults and those with compromised immunity, septicemia and meningitis are the most common conditions of a listeria infection, according to the CDC. Pregnant women may have fever, fatigue, aches and potentially fetal loss or bacteremia or meningitis in the newborn. Healthy people may experience gastroenteritis with a fever – or no symptoms at all.
That said, take these important precautions to reduce the risk of contracting listeriosis.
Avoid unpasteurized milk. Do not consume raw milk that has just come from a cow without being pasteurized first. And avoid foods that contain unpasteurized milk, like milk and cream, soft cheeses (like brie and camembert), yogurt, pudding, and ice cream and frozen yogurt known to contain milk that is not pasteurized.
Some Mexican foods, particularly cheeses, can contain unpasteurized milk. Keep an eye out for Queso Fresco, Panela, Asadero, and Queso Blanco when made from milk that is not pasteurized. Always ask if these items are made with pasteurized milk before consuming them.
Make hygiene a habit. Clean hands, utensils, cutting boards and countertops after preparing food, particularly if it's uncooked, to avoid cross-contamination.
Make washing produce a priority. It’s easy to cut up vegetables and avoid washing them to save time. But this adds to your risk of contracting listeriosis. Rinse produce thoroughly under running water before eating or preparing – every time.
Know the rules when it comes to separating foods. Keep raw meat away from vegetables, fruits and prepared foods. Thoroughly cook raw food to a safe internal temperature.
Take the time to read labels and look for the word "pasteurized." If you don't see it, then the product could contain raw milk.
Use caution when it comes to purchasing products at farmer’s markets. Always confirm that milk products have been pasteurized. This protects you from unknown exposure to listeria.
And finally, take extra caution if you do fall into a high-risk group. FoodSafety.org recommends people in high-risk groups to cook hot dogs and cold cuts thoroughly before eating them.
Remember that it’s OK to ask if products are pasteurized. Your favorite grocery store’s staff will gladly assist you when it comes to identifying products that may contain unpasteurized milk.