contamination can take place at farms, food processing
plants, at supermarkets and shops as well as during food
preparation at home.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may begin a few days after you’ve eaten
contaminated food, but it may take as long as 30 days
or more before the fi rst signs and symptoms of infection
begin.
If you develop a listeria infection, you may experience:
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Weakness
If the infection spreads to your nervous system, signs
and symptoms may include headache, stiff neck,
confusion, loss of balance and septicaemia. If you are
very ill with high fever, severe headache, stiff neck or
confusion, consult your doctor immediately. These signs
and symptoms may indicate bacterial meningitis, a
life-threatening complication of listeriosis.
Diagnosis and treatment
A blood test is often the most eff ective way to determine
whether you have listeriosis. In some cases, samples of
urine or spinal fluid may be tested as well. There is no
vaccine or pre-exposure prophylaxis for preventing
infecti