During pregnancy there are many things an expectant mother can do to ensure the best possible health for herself and her unborn child. Some of the more obvious things include getting plenty of fluids, taking prenatal vitamins and consuming healthful foods. When concentrating on selecting a healthy diet for herself and her baby, a pregnant woman should also concern herself with food safety. Foodborne illness, an infection or intoxication caused by consumption of contaminated foods, is of particular concern to pregnant women. Specifically, a foodborne illness called listeriosis, caused by the bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes.
Pregnant women and their unborn children are among a population of individuals who are considered to be "at risk" for contracting listeriosis. The reason for increased susceptibility to listeriosis in women who are pregnant is that during pregnancy hormonal changes take place that cause the immune system to be less resistant to the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The CDC estimates that a pregnant woman's likelihood of contracting listeriosis is 20 times greater than that of other healthy adults. In addition, it has been stated that about one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy. The danger to the unborn baby is presented because listeriosis can cross the placental membrane to infect the fetus, even if the mother has no symptoms of illness. Fetal infection with Listeria can cause complications such as prematurity, miscarriage, stillbirth and other serious health problems for the newborn. Though it has not been proven, there is a theoretical possibility that Listeria monocytogenes can be transmitted through nursing.
Knowing if you have contracted listeriosis can be a bit tricky. Symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after eating the contaminated food, and when they do appear they might be so mild that the infection goes unnoticed. The fact that a Listeria monocytogenes infection could go unnoticed and therefore go untreated makes it very important to take preventative precautions during pregnancy. Flu-like symptoms with the sudden onset of fever, chills, muscle aches and at times diarrhea or upset stomach are all symptoms that may indicate listeriosis in a pregnant woman. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may also include stiff neck, headache, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. If any of these symptoms appear consult your doctor or healthcare provider. A blood test is available that can isolate Listeria monocytogenes as the cause of symptoms.
In the case of listeriosis in a pregnant woman, the standard course of treatment is a round of antibiotics which treats the mother and most times prevents infection of the baby. If the infant becomes infected, antibiotics can be given to treat the newborn as well.
Taking preventative steps to avoid listeriosis infection is all together the best bet for high risk individuals, including pregnant women and their babies. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug administration have outlined the following guidelines for pregnant women and other high risk members of the population:
* Hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats should only be eaten if hey are reheated until steaming hot.
* Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican-style cheeses such as "queso blanco fresco," should not be eaten. Other types of cheese, including cream cheese and cottage cheese, can be safely consumed.
* Do not eat refrigerated pate' or meat spreads; shelf-stable canned versions can be eaten
* Refrigerated smoked seafood should not be eaten unless it is an ingredient in a cooked dish. Examples of refrigerated smoked seafood include salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna and mackerel, all of which are often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky."
* Avoid raw, unpasteurized milk or foods that contain unpasteurized milk.
Because Listeria can grow at refrigerated temperatures of 40 deg. F or below, FSIS and FDA also advise:
* Use all perishable foods that are precooked or ready-to-eat as soon as possible.
* Keep the inside of your refrigerator clean at all times.
* Use a refrigerator thermometer in the warmest part of the refrigerator to ensure it always stays at 40 deg. F or below. (This will keep the growth slowdown even if it won't stop it.)
If you discover that you have consumed a food that has been recalled due to Listeria contamination, but don't have any symptoms, most experts agree that there is no need for tests or treatment, even if you are pregnant. Although, if you are pregnant, have eaten a contaminated food and experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating the contaminated food, you should notify your healthcare provider.
Protecting yourself and your baby from foodborne illness is just another of the important precautions that need be taken to ensure the health and well being of you and your baby. New information on food safety is always being discovered, thus the recommendations for preventing foodborne illness are frequently brought up to date. To stay abreast of the most current recommendations talk to your healthcare provider. The following organizations are also good sources for the most updated information:
* Food Safety and Inspection Service Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555 www.fsis.usda.gov
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Foodborne Illness Line
1-888-232-3228 www.cdc.gov/foodsafety
* U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
1-888-SAFEFOOD www.cfsan.fda.gov
* Gateway to Government Food Safety Information www.foodsafety.gov
* Partnership for Food Safety Education www.fightbac.org
* International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation http://ific.org
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
Thursday
August 7th, 2025
11:35AM
