What Is Listeriosis: Causes And Symptoms
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Listeriosis is a serious but preventable and treatable disease caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes
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It can be found in soil, water, vegetation, animal feces, ready-to-eat meat products, soft cheeses, and cold smoked fishery products
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It's most commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products, says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Listeria infections are rare but serious, and symptoms vary depending on the person infected and the part of the body affected
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Listeria are most likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems
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Symptoms typically include fever, flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and stiff neck
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Symptoms in pregnant women are usually mild and some pregnant women never have symptoms, per CDC
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However, infection during pregnancy often leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection to the newborn
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