It may occur as meningitis, pneumonia , septicemia, and endocarditis or in milder form as abscesses , skin lesion , and conjunctivitis . Avoidance of contact with wild and domestic animals during pregnancy is advisable. Listeria is well controlled in American food products. Foreign food products such as nonpasteurized soft cheeses have been implicated in outbreaks of listeriosis. Adequate cooking of foods, especially fowl, is always indicated.
Treatment is aimed at eliminating the infection with antibiotics.
The late infant onset form also has a high death rate. Healthy older children and adults have a very low death rate. Call your health care provider if signs or symptoms of Listeriosis develop in you or your child.