Essay about Food Born Illness Listeria

Submitted By thom1900
Words: 590
Pages: 3

Listeria Monocytogenes Listeria monocytogenes also known as listeriosis, is a severe infection caused by eating food that is contaminated. The positive rod-shaped bacteria can grow under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions and can multiply best between 86-98.6 degrees. The disease largely affects elderly, pregnant women, newborns and those with weakened immune systems. Listeria is also commonly found in soil and water. Animals transport the bacterium without appearing sick. The bacteria are transmitted to foods of animal origin, such as meats and dairy products. They multiply better than any other form of bacteria. They also have the ability to survive in a refrigerated environment distinguishing themselves among other contaminating bacteria. Bacterium has existed in a variety of uncooked foods, such as raw meats and vegetables. The widespread foods that become contaminated after the cooking or preparation process are, soft cheeses, processed meats, to include hot dogs and deli meat and smoked seafood’s. The majority of these products are also sold in factory-sealed packages at most deli counters. Unpasteurized (raw) milk and cheeses and other foods made from unpasteurized milk are particularly expected to contain the bacterium. When the bacteria get into a food processing factory, they can live there for years, sometimes contaminating many other food goods. Human infections usually follow the consumption of contaminated food. Rare cases of hospital-acquired transmission have been reported in newborns.
The incubation period, from time of exposure to initial symptoms can range from two days up to thirty. The symptoms usually consist of fever, chills, severe headache, vomiting and other flu like symptoms. Infected individuals may also develop fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal signs such as nausea or diarrhea. The diarrhea symptoms usually lasts between one to four days and can result in twelve bowel movements per day at its peak. In pregnant mothers, symptoms include fever, muscle pain, backache and headaches. The sickness usually transpires in the third trimester, which is when the expecting mother’s immune system is at its lowest. Additional side effects can result in miscarriage, premature labor and passing the contamination to the newborn. Management for listeria should take place immediately for duration of twenty one days. . Identification of the infection is confirmed through a blood test or body fluid test. Isolation is not required because the contagion is not transferable from