Foodborne illness listeriosis has higher risks to expecting moms

The risk of the foodborn illness, listeria monocytogenes, one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens in the U.S. is much higher to expecting moms than previously thought.

The CDC has estimated that 2,500 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the U.S, leading to 500 deaths, and a third of the cases occur in pregnant women often leading to miscarriages or stillborn births.

Foods most often contaminated with the pathogen include hot dogs, deli meats, pasteurized dairy products, smoked seafood, and raw foods. As well, L. monocytogenes has been isolated from pasteurized and refrigerated foods such as fluid milk and soft-ripened cheeses, researchers have found.

To estimate the hazard for this study, the researchers focused on Mexican-style soft cheese, which has been associated with several outbreaks.

Signs and symptoms may not show up until 2-30 days after eating the infected foods. These signs and symptoms include:

• mild flu-like symptoms

• headaches

• muscle aches

• fever

• nausea and vomiting

Listeriosis is rarely fatal in humans except the elderly, pregnant women and infants. Expecting moms are most vunerable in their third trimester when the immune system is most suppressed.

Expecting moms are advised not to eat unpasteurized raw foods, seafoods, diary products and soft cheeses, but are often not told about deli meats. It may be best to avoid these foods until after the baby is born. The same holds true for infants learning to eat solids.

Deli meats should not be introduced until after the age of two unless it is nitrate and preservative free.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is a maternal, child and family health educator. She works as an Educational and Wellness Consultant helping women and families achieve healthier lifestyles. She is a Master Trainer for Healthy Moms(R) Fitness http://www.healthymomsfitness.com/ and a well-respected Pregnancy Health Columnist for Examiner.com

GetPregnant.org