Healthy children and adults can get infected with Listeria but usually do not get very sick. However, this illness is very serious in pregnant women, newborns, elderly people, and people with weak immune systems. You can get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria. Vegetables can be contaminated with soil or manure. Raw foods, such as uncooked meats, and processed foods, such as soft cheeses and cold cuts, can also be contaminated.
Animals can have the bacteria without being sick and can pass the bacteria to meats and dairy foods.
Fever Muscle aches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Symptoms usually begin 4-21 days after eating contaminated food. Healthy people usually do not have any symptoms, while others may have a mild, flu-like illness. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures can occur. You cannot tell without seeing your doctor. If infection occurs when a woman who is pregnant, medicines given to the woman right away can prevent the infection from spreading to her baby.