Listeriosis in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or a fetus with a severe form of congenital listeriosis. Listeriosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The mortality rate from listeria among newborns is around 80 percent. What are the symptoms of listeriosis in pregnancy? How to avoid listeria infection in pregnancy?

Listeriosis in pregnancyis extremely dangerous - it threatens not only the he alth of the woman, but also the fetus.Listeria monocytogenestypically occurs in animals, but is also found permanently in the digestive tract in approximately 10 percent of humans.

Listeriosis and pregnancy

The consequences of contracting listeriosis by a pregnant woman may have dire consequences. First of all, there may be a miscarriage, stillbirth or a fetus with a severe form of congenital listeriosis - then the chances of survival of the newborn are small.

From a pregnant woman, a fetus or a newborn baby can become infected right after it is born.

Newborns infected with this bacterium often have conjunctivitis and nasal mucosa inflammation, and sometimes also symptoms of pneumonia. It is accompanied by skin changes, small blisters and ecchymoses.

Listeriosis - symptoms of the disease

Listeriosis may be asymptomatic and may also resemble the flu. The most common symptoms include:

  • high fever
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • convulsions
  • temporary loss of consciousness

Timely undiagnosed listeriosis can lead to meningitis, endocarditis or systemic bacteremia.

Listeriosis - how do you get infected?

The most common infection occurs after eating contaminated food. You need to watch out in particular:

  • unpasteurized milk
  • raw and cooked meat
  • fermented raw sausages
  • raw and smoked fish
  • cheeses (grated yellow and brie, camembert or blue cheeses)
  • meat, vegetable or fish pâtés
  • ready salads
  • ice cream

Listeriosis - diagnosis

The disease is diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms and diagnostic tests that will show the presence ofListeria monocytogenesweblood, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal discharge, stool or meconium in newborns.

How to protect yourself from listeriosis

The listeria bacterium does not grow at temperatures lower than 2 degrees C or higher than 45 degrees C. The bacterium dies during heat treatment and under high pressure. Pregnant women should first of all give up:

  • unpasteurized milk
  • meat dishes stored in the refrigerator for several days
  • raw fish and seafood
  • cold-eaten meat dishes

They should also always follow the rules of hygiene when preparing meals and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, and additionally brew citrus.

Treatment of listeriosis

The only treatment method is antibiotic therapy. The patient is then administered amoxicillin with an aminoglycoside, cotrimoxazole and macrolides.

Category:

Pregnancy