Listeriosis in pregnancy: what are dangerous foods and how to prevent it

During pregnancy, we must take certain care in the diet to avoid infections caused by parasites or bacteria that could affect the baby, such as listeriosis.

Lysterosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, of food transmission that is widely distributed by nature (soil, dust, water), and can be found in different animal and vegetable foods.

Listeria bacteria

The infection occurs through the consumption of contaminated food such as raw milk, cheese made with raw milk, raw or undercooked meat, raw vegetables or sausages... It affects animals and to a lesser extent the human being, but in a newborn or in a baby in gestation it could be fatal.

Listeria can pass from the intestine into the mother's bloodstream and pass through the placenta infecting the baby, causing premature birth, a spontaneous abortion or a birth where the baby is born dead.

The route of transmission of the disease in humans was not known until the mid-1990s. In cases of infection during the neonatal period it is transplacental, while in veterinary cases it is by direct contact.

There are population groups that are considered at risk because they are more susceptible to listeriosis, among which are pregnant women, fetuses and newborns. And, although listeria infection is relatively rare, pregnant women are 20 times more likely to suffer from this disease that other people and the infection can be very serious for babies.

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Symptoms of listeriosis

The symptoms of listeriosis are similar to that of a flu, headache, stomach ache, muscle aches, fever, chills sometimes nausea and diarrhea, and if it affects the nervous system, seizures and loss of balance.

These symptoms may appear days or weeks after the intake of contaminated food. In case of suffering the mentioned symptoms, we must inform the doctor to carry out the corresponding analyzes.

Listerosis during pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy produce an effect on the mother's immune system that makes her more susceptible to listeriosis. In fact, approximately one third of the cases of listeriosis occur during pregnancy.

Listeriosis can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta even when the mother shows no signs of the disease. This infection can lead to premature birth, abortion, delivery of dead fetus, or full-term children with severe sequelae, especially neurological, and can cause mental retardation.

When the infection occurs during pregnancy, certain antibiotics They can often prevent infection of the fetus or newborn. Babies with Listeriosis can receive the same antibiotics from the adult. However, even with timely treatment, some infections can cause serious complications, so prevention is important.

Prevent listeriosis during pregnancy

Since this bacterium is widely distributed in nature, it is a threat in food production and processing environments. It can be established on surfaces that are in contact with food. However, good industrial practices and proper management in all phases of the food chain, including production, processing, warehouses, food services and home environments, can minimize the impact of this pathogen.

Pregnant women can significantly reduce the chances of getting listeriosis if they carefully follow hygienic measures and a series of dietary standards for avoid eating potentially dangerous foods. These tips are included among other recommendations for safe eating during pregnancy.

  • Because Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures (0 to 8ºC) or lower, it is advisable to use as soon as possible all perishable products that are precooked or come ready to eat. Observe carefully all expiration dates of these products.

  • Clean the refrigerator frequently.

  • Check the temperature of the refrigerator in order to ensure that it maintains a cooling temperature of 5 ° C or less.

  • Wash your hands with soap and hot water after handling any type of fresh food. Also, thoroughly wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils to prepare food and eat, in order to eliminate any bacteria that may have contaminated food before being cooked and ingested.

  • Avoid handling at the same time or joining cooked and raw food.

  • Wash fruits and vegetables very well before eating them raw.

  • Cook all foods very well, and especially meats, seafood and fish; and avoid smoked seafood (salmon, trout, cod, tuna, mackerel ...).

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  • Avoid meat products, such as sausages, pates, cold cuts, sausages, etc., unless they are reheated to the point of emitting steam. You can eat the pate and canned meat products that have been processed for preservation without deterioration.

  • Reheat all leftovers very well until you see the steam. Heat can help kill any bacteria that might be present.

  • It is not recommended to eat soft cheeses such as feta, brie, camembert, and moldy or blue-veined cheeses such as roquefort or cabrales, except that the labels indicate that they are pasteurized. This is because fresh unpasteurized milk, and any cheese or dairy product made from it, can contain disease-causing organisms, including the Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria. The pasteurization process (or other similar thermal processes) would kill the bacteria and other organisms. You can eat hard cheeses without risk (Cheddar, mozzarella), pasteurized cheeses Spread, creamy cheeses, cottage cheese and yogurt.

  • Do not drink raw milk or eat food or dishes prepared with this raw ingredient. The majority of dairy products manufactured in Spain are previously pasteurized. We should avoid these unlabeled products for sale in markets or those whose origin is unknown ...

  • Listeria is destroyed in high temperatures, so according to some sources you have to cook foods that can contain it well, although others point out that there are times when the heat is not enough to kill the bacteria, so the most prudent thing is not consume those foods.

Definitely, listeriosis in pregnancy It is a disease that can be very harmful for the baby but with simple measures related to feeding will stay away and avoid taking risks.

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Photos | iStockphoto and Free-Photos on Pixabay
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Video: Infectious Diseases A-Z: Prevent listeria infection (March 2024).