Listeria, A Food Borne Disease In Kids

Kids

oi-Anjana

By Anjana NS

Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 16:35

Does your kid often complain of stomach ache? Have you heard of Listeria? Well, let's briefly explain you about this food borne disease. Listeria is bacterial infection. It is caused by a bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease may seem rare but generally occurs in pregnant women (last trimester), newborns and kids.

The weak immune and those who have undergone an organ transplant are more susceptible to the food borne disease. The bacterium generally gets into the body through food (uncooked) and water.

Undercooked meat (hot dogs, chicken) and dairy products (like cheese, milk) have all chances of the bacterium breeding. Vegetables wrapped in packets for long such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli may also contain. Sometime the soil in vegetables like greens and tubers may also contain them. So washing them in boiling hot water is a must to keep away this food borne disease.

Listeria Symptoms -

1. Kids suffering from the disease will have fever and breathing problems.

2. The food borne disease also causes vomiting, diarrhea and makes the kid very weak.

3. During that time, kids do not eat properly and look very low.

4. If it is fever then it is flu like and pregnant women can even have a miscarriage if the temperature goes too high.

5. The food borne disease may even lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.

To prevent this food borne kid disease, you need to have a watch at what you are buying for kid and his food routine. Wash and clean vegetables well and prefer mineral water to keep away the contraction of the infection.