Symptoms
Possible symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle and joint pain, cramps, and nausea and diarrhea. In high-risk groups, a severe course such as with meningitis, encephalitis, blood poisoning and pneumonia is possible. The elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant women and newborns are particularly at risk. During pregnancy, the infection should be avoided if possible, because it can be transmitted to the child and lead to complications, miscarriage and life-threatening infection after birth. The mother, on the other hand, is hardly aware of the disease.
Causes
The cause of the disease is infection with the gram-positive rod bacterium , which is ubiquitous and is part of the fecal flora of many animals and can also be found in the intestinal flora of humans. Unlike other bacteria, Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperature and in a high salt concentration and can even survive deep freezing. The pathogen is transmitted mainly via foods of animal origin that have not been heated before consumption. These include, for example, products made from raw (unpasteurized) milk, soft cheeses, fish, sausages, meat, hot dogs, and contaminated vegetables. In many countries, the disease is currently rare, with about 20 to 30 cases annually. However, local outbreaks with higher numbers of cases are possible. Between 1983 and 1987, infections occurred more frequently in western Switzerland and were traced to contaminated soft cheese of the Vacherin Mont d’Or variety.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made in medical treatment with laboratory methods. Numerous other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Treatment
Antibiotics, probiotics, and drugs with symptomatic effects are used for drug treatment.
Prevention
- Wash hands well with warm water and soap before eating and cooking.
- Clean the kitchen utensils well after use.
- Wash vegetables before cooking.
- Store and process fresh meat separately.
- Cook or fry meat well.
- Store food properly and do not use beyond shelf life.
- Reheat leftover food before consumption.
Consumption of the following foods is not recommended during pregnancy:
- Raw milk and raw cream
- Soft and semi-hard cheeses made from raw and pasteurized milk.
- Blue cheese
- Fresh cheese in chunky form
- Mozzarella from cow’s, buffalo and sheep’s milk, feta
- Raw meat, pates, meat spreads, raw eggs, smoked fish and raw seafood.
According to the FOPH, hard cheese made from raw milk can be consumed during pregnancy (remove the rind before consumption). There is no risk of developing listeriosis.
