Listeriosis

Listeriosis is the illness caused by the listeria bacteria. Listeriosis is usually only a problem if the infection passes from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. To the mother, listeriosis can feel like a mild attack of flu with aches and pains, a raised temperature and maybe a sore throat. If the infection passes to the baby, however, it may cause miscarriage or premature labour. The baby may be born dead or may be very ill.

Listeriosis can be diagnosed by a blood or urine test. If you are worried that you may have caught listeria, contact your family doctor urgently. Prompt antibiotic treatment may help reduce the harm to your baby.

Avoiding listeriosis

The listeria bacteria is found in the soil and on vegetation. It may sometimes contaminate certain foods. You can only catch listeria if you eat a food containing the germ. Listeria is an unusual bacteria in that it continues to grow slowly even inside a fridge. Our Is it safe? chart lists foods at greatest risk of being contaminated with listeria.

The listeria bacteria is easily killed if the food containing it is well cooked or thoroughly reheated:

• Always follow manufacturer’s instructions very carefully when reheating convenience food, allowing plenty of time for your oven to reach the correct temperature
• Before eating, always stir or cut through the food to make sure that the centre is piping hot and steaming. If it is not, cover the food with foil and cook it for longer.

Remember that listeriosis is a rare illness, affecting about one pregnant woman in every 30,000. If you do your best to avoid the foods that may carry the bacteria, you are very unlikely to catch it. Even if you eat one of the foods by mistake, your risk is still extremely small.