During pregnancy, a listeria infection is likely to cause only mild symptoms in the pregnant person. But the effects on the baby can be devastating. The baby can die in the womb or have a life-threatening infection within a few days of birth.
Listeriosis can cause mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and diarrhea or upset stomach. You may also have a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or loss of balance. Symptoms may appear as late as 2 months after you have eaten something with Listeria.
This sheet is about having Listeria infection (listeriosis) in a pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information is based published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers.
Listeriosis and Pregnancy. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other people to get listeriosis. Listeriosis is a rare but serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called Listeria.
Listeria is a very common bacteria that can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. What to expect for listeriosis treatment and testing and what causes it.
Pregnant women are at high risk for listeriosis, but symptoms are non-specific and diagnosis is difficult. The intracellular life-cycle of Listeria protects the bacterium from host innate and adaptive immune responses.
