Listeriosis
Overview
Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by bacteria called listeria. It usually goes away on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill.
Symptoms
In most people, listeriosis has no symptoms or only causes mild symptoms for a few days, such as: a high temperatureaches and painschillsfeeling or being sickdiarrhoea If you're pregnant, you may also have a stomach ache or notice your baby moving less than usual. Babies with listeriosis may also be irritable and feed less than usual.
Treatment
For most people, listeriosis is mild and gets better in a few days. You can usually look after yourself at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. If you're at a higher risk of getting seriously ill (for example, you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system), you may need antibiotics.
Prevention
There are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of getting listeriosis. keep chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold – try to make sure your fridge is working properly and is set to 5C or below keep chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold – try to make sure your fridge is working properly and is set to 5C or below eat ready-to-eat foods within 4 hours of taking them out of the fridge eat ready-to-eat foods within 4 hours of taking them out of the fridge eat, cook or freeze foods by their use-by date eat, cook or freeze foods by their use-by date follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within 2 days (unless the packaging says otherwise) follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within 2 days (unless the packaging says otherwise) keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they're steaming hot right through follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they're steaming hot right through wash your hands regularly with soap and water wash your hands regularly with soap and water If you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, you should avoid eating ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish products, such as smoked salmon or gravlax (unless cooked until steaming hot). If you're pregnant, you should also avoid eating other foods that have the highest risk of causing listeriosis. These include: some soft cheeses (including brie and camembert) – unless cooked until steaming hotall types of pâté – including vegetable pâtéunpasteurised milk or dairy productsany undercooked food If you're pregnant, you should also avoid close contact with farm animals that are giving birth or have recently given birth.