Eating a lot of fruit is recommended to maintain health. However, you should be careful in choosing fruit. If contaminated, the fruit can cause health problems. Recently, the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Health, stopped importing melons from Australia's rock melons because they were contaminated with listeria bacteria which caused death.
Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is somewhat dangerous because although healthy people only give symptoms in the short term, it can cause serious and fatal infections in pregnant women and fetuses, children, the elderly (elderly), and people who are sick or have a weak immune system.
Recognizing Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteria
Listeria bacteria are classified as gram-positive bacteria. This bacterium is very strong and resistant to heat, acids, and salt. This bacterium is also freezing resistant and can continue to develop at temperatures of 0.4 ° C - 45 ° C with an optimal development temperature of 37 ° C. That means that food or fruit that has entered the refrigerator even though, can still contain live listeria bacteria.
Generally, listeria bacteria are found in soil, water and animal waste. Humans are usually infected with listeria after consuming the following foods:
- Raw vegetables or fruit from contaminated soil or fertilizer.
- Contaminated animal meat.
- Milk or dairy products without pasteurization.
- Food from processed meat that is contaminated.
Listeria bacteria can be found attached to the surface of fruits. These bacteria can then enter the fruit flesh after the fruit is cut using a knife. Although bacteria enter the fruit, the appearance, taste, and contaminated fruit does not show a distinctive difference.
Symptoms of Listeria Bacterial Infection
Infections caused by listeria bacteria are referred to as listeriosis. Symptoms of listeriosis can appear at any time in the period of 3-70 days after infected with listeria bacteria. Symptoms that a person feels after being infected with listeria bacteria generally include fever, muscle aches, and nausea or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, the symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance.
For pregnant women who are infected, it is possible to only experience minor illnesses such as flu, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeria can pose dangerous risks to the fetus it contains, such as miscarriage, premature labor or serious life-threatening infections in newborns.
Whereas in the elderly and people with weak immunity, listeria infection can spread through blood circulation and cause more serious disorders, such as sepsis, to attack the brain and cause meningitis and encephalitis.
Be aware of the symptoms of listeriosis, if you experience the above symptoms after consuming food or fruit. You can immediately see a doctor for proper treatment.
How to Overcome and Prevent Listeria Bacterial Infection
Treatment for listeria infection actually varies, depending on the symptoms that arise. Generally listeriosis sufferers need medical treatment. The doctor will give antibiotic treatment to fight the listeria bacteria. Especially for newborns, the doctor may give a combination of several types of antibiotics, with the dosage adjusted.
To prevent listeria bacterial infections, the Ministry of Health provides the following anticipatory steps:
- Rinse raw materials with running water, including washing fruits and vegetables before eating, cut or cooked. Even peeled fruit must be washed first.
- Rub agricultural products, such as melons and cucumbers, using a clean brush before storing, and dry the product with a clean cloth or paper.
- Separate raw meat and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and prepared foods.
- Wash cooking utensils, in the form of tools or cutting pads, which have been used for raw meat, poultry, animal products before use in other food products.
- Wash your hands with soap before processing food, and when you will
By undergoing these tips, is expected to prevent listeria infection. Cooked food is generally safe for consumption, because these bacteria will die at 75 ° C.
Choose carefully when buying food or fruit, including imported fruit, to prevent listeria infection. Also note how to store food properly. Then wash and clean the food before consuming or cooking it. If health problems occur after eating certain foods, you should immediately consult a doctor or the nearest health service center.
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