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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you develop a listeria infection, you may experience:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Symptoms may begin a few days after you've eaten contaminated food, but it may take as long as two months before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin.
If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, signs and symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or changes in alertness
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Symptoms during pregnancy, for newborns
During pregnancy, a listeria infection is likely to cause only mild signs and symptoms in the mother. The consequences for the baby, however, may be devastating. The baby may die unexpectedly before birth or experience a life-threatening infection within the first few days after birth.
As in adults, the signs and symptoms of a listeria infection in a newborn can be subtle, but may include:
- Little interest in feeding
- Irritability
- Fever
- Vomiting
When to see a doctor
If you've eaten a food that's been recalled because of a listeria outbreak, pay close attention to any possible signs or symptoms of illness. If you experience fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, contact your doctor. The same goes for illness after eating a potentially contaminated product, such as foods made with unpasteurized milk or poorly heated hot dogs or deli meats.
If you experience a high fever, severe headache, confusion, a stiff neck or sensitivity to light, seek emergency care. These signs and symptoms may indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection.
- Bortolussi R. Listeriosis: a primer. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008; 179:795.
- Listeriosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/listeriosis_gi.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Listeria: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whillist.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Gelfand MS. Treatment, prognosis, and prevention of Listeria monocytogenes infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
