Listeriosis symptoms
27.08.2008 16:08
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
The current listeriosis outbreak has rattled the confidence of many consumers, now second-guessing what they may have dismissed as general nausea or the flu. Anyone concerned he or she may have consumed a tainted product should be vigilant, and be on the lookout for the following symptoms of listeriosis: - Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Severe headache
- Constipation
- Persistent fever
- Stiff neck
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
Diagnosing listeria is performed through blood or spinal fluid tests. Symptoms may appear rapidly within hours or as late as 70 days after consuming a spoiled product. For many patients, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. But for high-risk patients, including the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, the onset of the infection can be rapid. Frances Clark, the first victim to be named in the Canadian outbreak, died at age 89. Clark, who had been living in a nursing home near Belleville, Ont., began experiencing symptoms on a Wednesday before dying the following Monday. "By Saturday morning she was pretty well unconscious," said Clark's son, Tim Clark. "We didn't know if she knew us or not, her eyes would open and close but her breathing was very laboured, very raspy, very congested. The blood cultures finally started coming back and showing something by Saturday night, then on Sunday they had a confirmation that it was Listeria bacteria that was the culprit there." Clark's daughter Karen said the onset was rapid. "[She went] from a relatively healthy woman that's walking around with her walker to being within 48 hours of admission to death," she said. "It's overwhelming." Health Canada advises patients that early diagnosis is crucial, particularly for people in high-risk groups. The federal department also notes no vaccine exists to treat listeriosis. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksListeria FAQsIN DEPTH: Meat recall timelineRecall over listeriosis fears expands to 4 more productsSaskatchewan reports first death linked to listeriosisNumber of confirmed cases, deaths linked to listeriosis increasesHealth HeadlinesHigh levels of toxic metals found in herbal medicines sold onlineAbout one in five Ayurvedic remedies used in traditional Indian medicine contained toxic lead, mercury or arsenic, say researchers who bought the products online.Unnamed Manitoba doctor's licence revoked due to psychiatric illnessQuestions are being raised about a Winnipeg doctor whose licence was revoked due to a psychiatric problem — but whose name is being kept secret, even from the doctor's former patients.Attack ad targets hot dogs as cancer riskA new TV commercial shows kids eating hot dogs in a school cafeteria and one little boy's haunting lament: "I was dumbfounded when the doctor told me I have late-stage colon cancer."Belief in cancer myths risky: reportPeople worldwide have a poor understanding of what causes cancer and therefore underestimate the importance of factors they can control, like diet and alcohol consumption, according to a report released on Wednesday.Is bigger better? Listeria fears put meat producers in spotlight Small meat producers and a meat industry group are at odds over how consumers can reduce the risk of food-borne illness in the wake of a listeriosis outbreak that has been blamed for several deaths across Canada. Health FeaturesVIDEOListeriosisFollowing the path of the listeriosis outbreak (8:37)ASTHMABoys vs. girlsNew thinking about the disease in youngstersVIDEOHealthMumps outbreak spreads in Vancouver (2:51)IN DEPTHMental healthCanadians earn failing grade for attitudeIN DEPTHWest Nile  HEALTHMemorySurprising things that affect itPeople who read this also read …
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