Listeria Symptoms and Listeria Complications
Listeriosis affects primarily older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. If a pregnant woman experiences a Listeria infection, bacteria may cross the placenta causing a miscarriage, premature delivery, still birth, or an infection in the new born. Persons not belonging to one of these high risk demographic groups can also experience a severe case of listeriosis.
Infection with Listeria may remain limited to intestinal tract (non-invasive), or the bacteria may spread beyond the intestinal tract (invasive) causing a life-threatening septicemia or meningitis. Other complications may include endocarditis, abscess formation, pneumonia, and eye and or joint inflammation.
Listeriosis can develop for up to two months after an individual consumes a Listeria contaminated food. Initial symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may include headache, weakness, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. Pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms. Because presentation and outcome of the infection can be affected by the type of infection (non-invasive vs. invasive) or the patient’s risk group, it is important to direct your questions and concerns to your healthcare professional promptly.
Recommendations for reducing the risk of Listeria infection can be found on the CDC’s website.
Diagnosis of Listeriosis
Culture and identification of the bacteria from samples of blood, spinal fluid (CSF), amniotic fluid, placenta, or other normally sterile tissue are necessary for diagnosis of a Listeria infection. According to the CDC, stool cultures are of little assistance in diagnosing listeriosis.
Listeria Lawsuits and Food Poisoning Lawsuit Help
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting victims of Listeria food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you. If you or a loved one was sickened after consuming a Listeria contaminated product and you have a question regarding you legal rights, please select Listeria Lawsuit for a free food poisoning lawsuit evaluation. You can also call us toll free, 24/7 at 877-934-6274. Let us help you take the first step toward seeking compensation for your food poisoning injuries.
The information contained on this page has been gathered from the websites of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and other sources in the public domain.
