Can you get listeria from touching?
Reviewed: September 2017 Show What is listeriosis?Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. People become infected by eating foods contaminated with the bacteria. Listeria may infect many different sites in the body, such as the brain, spinal cord membranes, or the bloodstream. Who gets listeriosis?Anyone can get the disease, but those at highest risk for getting it are pregnant women, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems (for example, people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or a transplant), and people with chronic liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or alcoholism. Healthy adults and children occasionally are infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill. Although most cases occur as single cases, food-borne outbreaks (when two or more people become ill from the same source) do occur. How is listeriosis spread?Listeria bacteria can be found in water and soil. Infected animals, even if they are not sick, may carry the bacteria, spread it, and contaminate foods. Listeria can be spread to people by several different methods. Eating food contaminated with the bacteria, such as through raw (unpasteurized) milk or contaminated vegetables, is often a source for cases. The bacteria may be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy or directly to the newborn at the time of birth. What are the symptoms of listeriosis?Because listeriosis can affect many different parts of the body, the symptoms vary from mild to severe. Listeria can cause fever and diarrhea (loose stool/poop) similar toother foodborne germs, but this type of Listeria infection is rarely diagnosed. Symptoms vary in people with invasive listeriosis, meaning the bacteria has spread beyond the gut.
How is this disease diagnosed?Specific laboratory tests are the only way to diagnose this disease. A blood, spinal fluid, or amniotic fluid/placenta test that looks for the bacteria will be able to show if the disease is present. What is the treatment forlisteriosis?Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Ampicillin, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics, is often used. Does past infection with listeriosis make a person immune?Past infection does not appear to make a person immune. People can be reinfected if exposed to the Listeria bacteria again. What can be done to prevent the spread of this disease?Since the bacteria is widespread in nature, basic sanitary measures such as using only pasteurized dairy products, eating cooked meats, washing produce, and washing hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry offers the best protection. In addition, the following recommendations are for persons at high risk, such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems (for example people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or a transplant):
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