Listeriosis Infection Primer For Health Care Providers And The Public - Canadian Medical Association Journal

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 14 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

With the current outbreaks of listeriosis in Canada, CMAJ is releasing guidelines for health care professionals and the general public about symptoms, who is at risk, symptom management, and how to reduce the risk of listeriosis.

In the United States, about 20-65% of all foodborne-related deaths are caused by listeriosis. In people with healthy immune systems, listeriosis usually resolves without treatment after a flu-like illness. However, pregnant women are 20 times more likely than healthy adults to contract listeriosis and risk passing it on to their babies, which can result in miscarriage or infant death.

The elderly and people with cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, AIDS/HIV and other illnesses that weaken immune systems are high-risk groups for contracting listeriosis.

"Listeriosis a primer."
Robert Bortolussi M.D.
CMAJ OCTOBER 7, 2008 179(8)
Click here to view article online.

Visit http://www.cmaj.ca for more articles on listeriosis next week.

CMAJ