Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is listeriosis?
- How common is this disease?
- Signs and symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of listeriosis?
- When to see a doctor?
- Causes and risk factors
- What causes listeriosis?
- What puts you at risk for this disease?
- Diagnosis and treatment
- What are the tests like for this disease?
- What are the treatment options for listeriosis?
- Home remedies
- What are the home remedies for treating listeriosis?
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Definition
What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a bacterial infection Listeria which arises from eating food contaminated with bacteria.
The bacteria that cause listeriosis usually live in undercooked meat and dairy products. Although it is a dangerous infection, listeriosis is one disease that rarely occurs.
Healthy people often show no symptoms when they are infected with bacteria Listeria. However, this infection can be fatal to unborn babies, newborns, or people with weakened immune systems.
Listeriosis is divided into two types, namely non-invasive and invasive.
- Non-invasive listeriosis: this disease is mild and affects healthy people. Usually occurs due to eating foods that contain lots of bacteria Listeria.
- Invasive listeriosis: a more severe type, affecting groups of people at high risk. The symptoms are more fatal and can even lead to death.
How common is this disease?
Anyone can get infected. However, for some people such as pregnant women or the fetus will be more at risk.
Listeriosis experienced by pregnant women can cause premature birth, miscarriage, or death of the fetus shortly after birth. Babies can become very sick if they are infected before birth.
People who have weak immune system are also at risk. For example, people who have cancer, AIDS, people who have had organ transplants, and the elderly.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of listeriosis?
The symptoms of listeriosis vary, depending on the condition of the patient's body and which part of the body is affected. Bacteria Listeria often causing fever or diarrhea. However, this type of infection is rarely detected.
Some of the other symptoms include muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. When bacteria have entered the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, convulsions, and loss of balance may occur.
People who are infected will usually experience symptoms within one to four weeks of eating contaminated food Listeria.
Some of the others even show symptoms about one to two months after exposure to bacteria.
Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
When to see a doctor?
If you develop fever, muscle aches, and nausea or diarrhea after eating contaminated food, contact your doctor immediately.
Some foods may be contaminated with bacteria Listeria namely foods made from unpasteurized milk, raw / undercooked foods, and unheated foods.
If you have a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, are absent-minded, or sensitive to light, seek emergency help. These signs and symptoms may be a sign of meningitis.
Causes and risk factors
What causes listeriosis?
Bacteria Listeria can be found in soil, water, and animal waste. A person can become infected with bacteria if they eat food contaminated with bacteria, for example:
- raw vegetables that have been contaminated by soil or from manure used as fertilizer,
- raw meat,
- unpasteurized milk, as well
- processed foods, such as cheese, ham and sausages.
What puts you at risk for this disease?
Groups of people who are at higher risk of this disease are:
- pregnant mother,
- people over 65 years of age,
- people who have AIDS,
- patients undergoing chemotherapy,
- people with other diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease, and
- taking certain medications for rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism).
Diagnosis and treatment
What are the tests like for this disease?
Your doctor will depend on your symptoms to diagnose whether you have an infection Listeria.
In addition, you will need to undergo a series of tests including blood and bone marrow tests to get an accurate diagnosis.
What are the treatment options for listeriosis?
Treatment will be carried out according to the severity of the symptoms. If the patient has moderate symptoms, the doctor will give antibiotics such as ampicillin or gentamicin.
In patients with invasive listeriosis, the antibiotics given are similar to those with moderate symptoms.
The duration of antibiotic therapy can last for 2 - 3 weeks. If the blood test is negative, the treatment will be stopped.
Antibiotics are injected directly into the bloodstream. Patients with weakened immune systems may need longer treatment because the infections will recur frequently.
Home remedies
What are the home remedies for treating listeriosis?
Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help treat listeriosis include the following.
- Tell your doctor all medicines you take (including prescription drugs and herbal products).
- Call your doctor if you still have symptoms after taking all antibiotics.
- Cook animal products such as eggs, meat and poultry until cooked.
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Wash hands and kitchen utensils in hot, soapy water after eating, especially after touching raw meat and processed foods.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
