Listeria is a bacterium that can cause a number of symptoms. The symptoms of listeria are unusual because they could cause a person to not pay attention to it and have it for a long time. The longer you have symptoms, the worse listeria will be. Once you know the symptoms, you can take the necessary steps to get the right treatment for it before it’s too late. If you wait too long, you can die from it.
Most people who die from listeria fall in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and individuals with weak immune systems. The foods you eat can give you listeria, including raw and unpasteurized milk, smoked seafood, and hot dogs. These are the eight most unusual symptoms of listeria to watch out for if you ever think you have it. Even if you don’t have listeria, you should still seek medical attention to be on the safe side.
1. Flu-like symptoms
occur in pregnant women and individuals who are in the high-risk group. When they have these symptoms, they may just think they’re getting sick and that over-the-counter medication will work. When you have the flu, you will get better if you take medicine before it gets worse, but with listeria, the symptoms won’t get better.
If you go to the ER or to your primary care doctor, he or she can take tests to see what you really have. Once you are diagnosed with listeria, you can get treatment right away. Since this bacterium can cause death, if you fall into the high-risk group, you may need to be placed in the hospital until you get better. Medical professionals can watch you on a regular basis so that you don’t have any complications. They can also give you tips on how to prevent getting listeria a second time.