Listeria Research Paper

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” (Benjamin Franklin). Listeria is a serious foodborne illness. It is caused by a bacterium, called Listeria Monocytogenes, that lives in soil, water, and certain animals. It is especially prevalent in poultry and cattle. Listeria can also be found in unpasteurized milk, and products that are made with raw milk. Listeria is especially dangerous because it is able to grow, even in cold temperatures. Refrigeration will not kill the bacteria. Listeria is only killed by cooking out the bacterium and pasteurizing milk (Listeria). Once a person is infected, it is difficult to determine exactly which food contained the bacteria because the incubation period is so elongated. “Investigators typically assess food exposures for patients in Listeriosis outbreaks for the entire four to six weeks prior to the patient’s diagnosis, and patients often have difficulty recalling their specific food exposures” (Ryser and Elmer 306). This makes it difficult to prevent future exposures to the bacteria. It also makes it difficult for people to know that their illness is foodborne because the illness can take up to 70 days to show any symptoms. This is why it is so important for people who start showing symptoms to …show more content…
Listeria is especially dangerous for women that are pregnant. It can lead preterm labor, illness in the newborn infant, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Pregnant women who become infected with Listeriosis should seek medical help immediately. If Listeria is treated punctually, antibiotics can be administered in order to prevent the infection from traveling to the fetus. People that have a weakened immune system, have recently had an organ transplant, elderly people, and people with certain diseases are also at a higher risk for contracting Listeriosis. Listeriosis that is transferred to people in these categories, if untreated, can be