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- $Unique_ID{BRK00834}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is Meant by "Listeriosis"?}
- $Subject{listeriosis infection bacteria bacterium Infections infection
- bacterium Listeria monocytogenes meningitis inflammation meninges tissue
- spinal cord brain meningoencephalitis pregnancy pregnancies pregnant infect
- fetus miscarriages contaminated food antibiotics}
- $Volume{A-1}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What is Meant by "Listeriosis"?
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-
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-
- QUESTION: It sounded like the name of a mouth wash, but our doctor assured us
- that "listis" something was nothing to kid about. Can you figure out what he
- meant? It is very important to many members of our family and we hope you can
- help.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: I believe he spoke of Listeriosis, a serious disease caused by the
- bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. In adults, it can cause meningitis
- (inflammation of the meninges, the tissue around the spinal cord and brain),
- meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the meninges and brain), a flu-like
- illness, or even death. In a pregnant woman, it can also infect the fetus and
- kill it, causing miscarriages. Listeriosis occurs mostly in adults over 40,
- pregnant women, and people who have a poor immune system.
- The bacteria that cause listeriosis is all around us normally, and many
- people carry it in their intestinal tract with no harm. However, several
- outbreaks of the disease have been linked to contaminated food products,
- notably soft unpasteurized cheeses. In a 1985 outbreak in California, 86
- cases and 29 deaths resulted.
- Listeriosis can be treated effectively with antibiotics and prompt
- treatment of a pregnant woman can keep her baby from becoming infected. To
- keep from catching the disease, pregnant women and people with poor immune
- systems should stay away from people known to be infected with listeriosis and
- from potentially infected materials. Pay strict heed to your doctor's
- recommendations.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-