I was just wondering a couple of things about the danger of contracting a listeria infection. First, is it something that is a concern through the entire pregnancy, or just the first trimester? Also, what exactly are the dangers to the mother and baby? And finally, can you get such an infection more than once in your life? Or is it one of those things that you'll get once and be immune to?
Thanks!
Hi Cricket,
- Listeria is caused by bacteria (listeria!). It can occur in uncooked meat and seafood, soft cheeses, runny eggs, unpasteurised dairy products, contaminated fruit and veg. (wear gloves in garden and wash fruit & veg well before eating).
- You can't get immune to it.
- The danger is throughout pregnancy, not just the first trimester.
- Risk with infection if miscarriage, stillborn.
To prevent risk:
- Avoid all cold meat, soft cheeses, undercooked meat (rare steak), sushi, sashimi, raw eggs (fresh mayonaisse, aioli), runny eggs (sunny side, poached, soft-boiled)
- wash all salads and fruit before eating
- avoid ready made salads, sandwich bar food
- wash hands after petting animals, gardening
- avoid sprouts
- avoid juice bar juices (equipment is not always sterile)
- avoid soft-serve icecream
My cousin is a midwife and said she's only ever seen one case in her 12 years and that was from a salad bar salad. She said if you handle the food and its' fresh, most of the taboo foods are fine (not that she would recommend eating them, but she did say they would be fine). So I just make sure I wash all salad products and I never eat from a deli or salad bar. xoxo
A few listeria questions
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