The expert warned about the danger of Listeria bacteria

Once in the bloodstream, Listeria causes sepsis and can affect any organ, including the nervous system. Listeriosis can cause meningitis or the formation of purulent abscesses. On June 11, Stanislav Ionov, Professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, told Izvestia about the danger of this infectious disease.

Earlier, the media reported that a Russian woman was hospitalized after eating steak and unwashed fruits. At first she felt weak and had a headache. However, later the temperature rose to 39.5 degrees and the woman was urgently hospitalized. Doctors diagnosed the patient with meningitis caused by Listeria bacteria.

"Listeria is a very tenacious, mobile rod that feels great in both oxygen and oxygen—free environments. It is present in large quantities in soil and water," the expert explained.

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He added that this is zoonosis — that is, it is possible to infect a person directly from an animal or through its waste products. Listeria belongs to those rare bacteria that feel great at a wide temperature range: from +45 to + 4 degrees, that is, they multiply in the refrigerator.

Listeria mainly enters the human body through food. But it is possible for bacteria to enter through the respiratory tract and skin (microcracks, splinters, wounds), dirty hands or unboiled water (from a well).

"Listeriosis is quite rare, as listeria is conditionally pathogenic. That is, if a person is healthy, then the body's barrier factors suppress these bacteria. But if the concentration of the pathogen is high or the human immune system is weakened after surgery, or if a person has gastritis or low acidity, infection may occur through the intestinal mucosa," Ionov warned.

He also clarified that listeriosis is a purulent infection. Once in the blood, the pathogen causes sepsis, followed by secondary purulent damage to internal organs. It can be damage to the nervous system, meningitis and meningoencephalitis, as well as purulent foci of inflammation — abscesses — in absolutely any organs.

"To protect yourself, you need to follow the rules of hygiene. Wash your hands before eating, do not eat dirty unwashed fruits and vegetables. When working in the garden with organic fertilizers, where there is always a lot of listeria, use gloves. Boil water from a well or other natural sources before use," the specialist advised.

Earlier, on June 8, doctor Vera Seryozhina spoke about the risk of allergies and infections when in contact with cockroaches. Saliva and chitinous particles that remain on surfaces and can get on food are dangerous.