What Can Listeria Do To Pregnant Women?

April 17, 2018 /

Written by Karli Steenkamp 

Shopping, sonograms, decorating and choosing names are one of your most important priorities when you are pregnant, while trying to eat healthy and drink vitamin supplements. But what if eating healthy is causing a risk not only to you but to your baby?
Listeria is a word that is more commonly known lately in Australia due to the outbreak found in Rockmelon. This has many Australians concerned about this illness. A very low percentage of people a year in Australia get Listeria, however pregnant women are more vulnerable to get it due to a weakened immune system. Here are all the facts you need to know about Listeria and how it can affect your pregnancy.   

What is Listeria and where is it found? 

The bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, can contaminate many foods that we eat on a daily basis. It is more commonly found in soil or water. The bacteria infect fruits or vegetables that are planted in the already infected soil. Animals can also spread the bacteria without getting sick, by water or other food that are infected.  

Symptoms of Listeria: 

In many causes Listeria can go unnoticed, because your body fights the bacteria before it can make you ill. However if there was enough bacteria to make you sick the symptoms will usually show up around 3-30 days after contaminated food or water has been consumed. The most common symptoms are: 

  • Mild fever 
  • Headaches 
  • Tiredness 
  • Aches and pains 
  • A mild cough or flu-like symptoms 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Nausea 

Other severe symptoms are Meningitis, Septicemia or it can be fatal if untreated. If it is caught early enough, it can easily be treated with antibiotics. 

Listeria and pregnancy 

If you are infected with Listeria while you are pregnant you might only have flu-like symptoms or nothing at all. Other pregnant woman might be very ill. Every person infected is different. Due to your lower immune system you have when pregnant, you are more vulnerable to the infection. If the infection gets transmitted to your unborn fetus it can lead to premature birth, a low birth weight, stillbirth, miscarriage or it can in severe cases be fatal. 

If you suspect you might have been exposed to Listeria phone your doctor immediately. If treated early enough, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy and can prevent Listeria from spreading to your baby. Babies with Listeria can also be treated successfully. 

What foods to avoid? 

It is important to rather stay safe when you are pregnant and avoid the following foods: 

  • Pre-cooked or uncooked seafood  
  • Deli meats and pre-cooked chicken 
  • Pâté’s 
  • Stored salads (including fruit salad) 
  • Seed sprouts 
  • Unpasteurized juice and pre-cut fruit 
  • Unpasteurized milk 
  • Soft cheeses 
  • Soft-serve ice cream 

How to be safe? 

  • Eat a nutritious diet to stay as healthy as you can. 
  • Don’t let food stand for long periods of time, because that gives Listeria enough time to grow to make you sick. 
  • Eat cooked meat and seafood. 
  • Cook food yourself other than buying pre-cooked meat. 
  • Put food in the refrigerator as soon as possible and consume within two days. 
  • If you eat left over’s make sure you heat it properly to kill any bacteria 
  • Wash your fruit and vegetable. 

It can be an overwhelming thought to watch what you eat and think of all the dangers to you and your unborn baby. Luckily there are many things that you have power over, like keeping healthy by having a nutritious diet and drinking vitamins. Be mindful of what you eat without worrying about it. Enjoy your pregnancy, but be aware of certain dangerous and how to avoid it. Luckily in today’s advance world we live in, infections can easily be treated and keep you and your baby safe.  

References 

Nutrition Australia: Listeria – The facts 

NSW: Food Authority 

My Dr. com