Listeria
Listeriosis is one of the most serious types of food poisoning and the symptoms may appear as late as 2 months after you have eaten a contaminated food with Listeria bacteria.
Cooking and pasteurization are the only ways
to kill Listeria.
You can feel flu-like symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Muscle aches
- Diarrhea or upset stomach
Many pregnant women do not have any symptoms. Even if you do not feel sick, you can pass the infection to your baby.
Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than the general population. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm labor.
Avoid eating the following foods while you are pregnant:
- Unpasteurized milk and foods made with unpasteurized milk, including soft cheeses
- Hot dogs and luncheon meats, unless they are heated until steaming hot just before serving
- Refrigerated pâté and meat spreads
- Refrigerated smoked seafood
- Unwashed raw produce such as fruits and vegetables
- All raw and undercooked seafood, eggs, meat, and poultry
- Sushi made with raw fish (cooked sushi is safe)