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Eat carelessly while pregnant, be careful of the danger of listeriosis

Pregnant women, aka pregnant women, should be careful eating foods such as fresh fruit, meat or other types of food consumed raw. There is a risk of developing listeriosis which can cause health problems, especially in infants in the womb. The study found, pregnant women were 10 times more at risk of experiencing listeriosis. Usually most often causes infection in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the pregnant woman's immune system tends to be lower.

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by consuming foods that contain Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that can be found in soil and water. These bacteria can then contaminate plants and animals that eat, drink or grow on contaminated soil and water. This bacterium is often found in fruits, vegetables, and meat, including contaminated processed meat. It also can be found in milk or dairy products that are not pasteurized. This bacterium can actually be killed by cooking food until it is cooked, and doing the pasteurization process for milk. What to watch out for, ma'am, these bacteria can be found in processed foods ready to eat you know, like deli meats that are usually present in sandwiches or hot dogs. Listeria can interfere with pregnancy, and even spread from mother to fetus through the placenta. Although the symptoms that you may feel are only fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, but the effect of listerioriosis on the fetus can cause premature birth, miscarriage, the fetus dies in the womb, until the baby is born with a severe infection and endangering lives, such as meningitis and blood infections in infants.

Recognize the symptoms of listeriosis

Pregnant women who accidentally eat contaminated food, usually will experience some symptoms about 3 days to approximately two months afterwards. The symptoms of listeriosis are very common and not typical, can be:
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle ache
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
Some pregnant women may not even feel any symptoms, until eventually experiencing a pregnancy disorder, or problems in the baby after birth. But if listeriosis has invaded the nervous system, it can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, and even seizures. The symptoms that are not typical make this disease need to be ascertained through a blood test. If a listeria infection is found, the doctor can give antibiotics with the type and dose adjusted for listeriosis in pregnancy.

Tips on Preventing Listeriosis in Pregnant Women

The good news, this infection is actually very rare and more risky to occur in those whose immune systems are weak. Even so, you should continue to take precautions so as not to get listeriosis while pregnant. Here are some steps you can take to prevent listeriosis:

Store and prepare food ingredients

  • Make sure the refrigerator is set at a minimum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius to store food. Remember to clean the refrigerator regularly.
  • Always wash vegetables and fruit with running water. Rinse thoroughly before consumption or cooking. As much as possible peel all fruits and vegetables before consumption.
  • Double check the expiration date on food packaging.
  • Wash hands after finishing preparing or cooking processed meat.
  • Cooked food stored in the refrigerator needs to be reheated thoroughly, because Listeria can stay alive in cold temperatures in the refrigerator. Listeria can contaminate cooked food, also when food is stored.
  • Washing sponges need to be cleaned and replaced regularly, ma'am. Should be washed using warm water so it does not become a den of bacteria.
  • Also wash other cooking utensils, such as knives and cutting pads that have been used to cut meat, before using them to process other food.
  • Make sure the cooking maturity, because bacteria that cause listeriosis will die at a minimum temperature of 75 degrees Celsius. If necessary, use the help of a cooking thermometer to be sure.

Choose food

  • Avoid consumption of raw foods or milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process, including dairy products, such as cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. You can check it on the packaging label.
  • If you like to eat fresh fruit, like melons, you should eat freshly cut. Avoid those that have been left at room temperature for more than 4 hours. Also make sure the fruit has been cleaned beforehand.
  • Avoid eating processed meat such as sausages, except if cooked alone, to be sure it has been processed properly.
  • Avoid the consumption of sea food or seafood that is processed by fumigation.
  • Even though salad is a favorite food for pregnant women, it is best to avoid egg salad, tuna salad and maritime food salad for sale.
During pregnancy, you should avoid foods that are harmful to pregnant women, including raw foods or not processed until cooked. This can prevent various dangerous diseases, including listeriosis. If pregnant women are worried about experiencing symptoms of listeriosis after consuming certain foods, you should immediately check with your obstetrician to get the right treatment.

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