In this article
- what is it
- what does it mean if contracted during pregnancy
- how to avoid it
What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a food-borne infection caused by the bacterium Listeria Monocytogenes. This bacterium is widespread in nature: in soil, water and forage. These elements represent a vehicle of contamination for animals so that cattle, sheep and goats can also be carriers of the bacterium.
Read also: Pregnancy nutrition, 10 things to know
What does it mean if i contract it during pregnancy?
Listeria infection is of particular interest pregnant women, infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
in pregnant women symptoms are usually mild and flu-like: fever, body aches, fatigue. The problem is that if contracted during pregnancy, the infection can be transmitted to the fetus, with the possibility of serious consequences including abortion, stillbirth, preterm birth, as well as the risk of serious infections in the newborn.
It can also be transmitted from mother to newborn during childbirth causing problems for the baby in terms of pneumonia, skin lesions, purulent conjunctivitis, abscesses, meningitis.
How can you get infected and what precautions can you take to avoid it?
Although infections in humans are rare, the main route of infection is represented by the consumption of contaminated food. Contamination can occur at the raw material level or during the production and processing stages.
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Pregnancy: foods allowed and prohibited in the nine months
go to the galleryDuring pregnancy, the expectant mother should take the opportunity to change her lifestyle and diet. What are the prohibited foods in the nine months? Raw milk, eggs, meat and fish. Fruit and ...
The foods that pose the greatest risk of infection and therefore must be avoided in pregnancy are
- soft, blue and floral rind cheeses,
- raw or unpasteurized milk,
- fish, especially smoked, raw meat,
- ready-to-eat meat-based preparations and raw vegetables (if you want to consume them, they must be washed VERY carefully).
Cooking and pasteurization kill Listeria
Like most bacteria, Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, but food can also be contaminated after cooking and before being sold.
Maintaining an adequate cold chain in the case of purchasing packaged products is therefore a measure of absolute importance to prevent their multiplication. It is also essential:
- cook food well;
- wash the refrigerator, surface and kitchen utensils often.
(Original article dated 29 September 2022)
Watch also the video: nutrition during pregnancy, the list of prohibited foods
TAG:
- prohibited pregnancy foods
- pregnancy feeding
- infections
