Listeria is an organism that may infect the mother with symptoms that vary from mild flu to pneumonia or meningitis, although the effect is usually mild and often difficult to diagnose because there are no specific signs. In the baby infection is very rare, but when it does occur it can cause miscarriage, premature birth or conjunctivitis, pneumonia or encephalitis and a very severe illness. Listeria is difficult to detect but the diagnosis depends on the use of specific blood culture techniques for the mother or swabs from the baby.
Treatment consists of antibiotics, which if begun soon enough can prevent the full blown complications of the infection With listeria prevention is the most important issue.
The following foods must be avoided:
- Soft ripened non pasteurized cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Bluevein)
- Pate
- Undercooked poultry and meat