Beware of the Dangers of Listeria in Imported Fruits
Eating lots of fruit is recommended to stay healthy. However, you must be careful when choosing fruit. If contaminated, the fruit can cause health problems. Recently, the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Health, has stopped importing Australian type melons due to Listeria contamination, which causes death.
Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) bacteria are quite dangerous because, although healthy people have only short-term symptoms, they can cause serious and fatal infections in pregnant women and fetuses, children, children and adults. old people and sick people. or have a weak immune system.
Get to know the 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 freeze resistant and can continue to grow at temperatures of 0.4 ° C to 45 ° C with an optimal development temperature of 37 ° C. This means that food or fruit that has entered the refrigerator still contains live listeria bacteria.
In general, Listeria bacteria are found in soil, water and animal waste. Humans are usually infected with listeria after eating the following foods:
Listeria bacteria can be found attached to the surface of the fruit. These bacteria can then enter the fruit flesh after the fruit is cut with a knife. Although bacteria enter the fruit, the appearance, taste and contaminated fruit do not show a distinctive difference.
Symptoms of Listeria bacterial infection
Infections caused by Listeria bacteria are called listeriosis. Symptoms of listeriosis can occur at any time during the period of 3 to 70 days after infection with Listeria. Symptoms experienced by someone after being infected with Listeria usually include fever, muscle aches and nausea or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms include headaches, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance.
For infected pregnant women, only minor illnesses such as influenza, fever, fatigue and muscle aches may occur. However, listeria can pose dangerous risks to the fetus, such as miscarriage, premature labor or serious infections that can threaten the lives of newborns.
While in the elderly and people with low immunity, listeria infection can spread through the bloodstream 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 eating food or fruit. You can immediately see a doctor for proper treatment.
How to defeat and prevent Listeria bacterial infections
Treatment for listeria infection actually varies depending on the symptoms that emerge. People with listeriosis usually need medical care. The doctor will provide antibiotic treatment to fight the Listeria bacteria. Especially for newborns, doctors can prescribe a combination of several types of antibiotics, the appropriate dosage.
To prevent bacterial infection with listeria, the Ministry of Health plans the following steps:
By following these tips, you should prevent infection with listeria. Cooked foods are usually 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 pay attention to how to maintain food properly. Then wash and clean the food before eating or cooking. If you have health problems after eating certain foods, you should immediately consult a doctor or the nearest health center.
Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) bacteria are quite dangerous because, although healthy people have only short-term symptoms, they can cause serious and fatal infections in pregnant women and fetuses, children, children and adults. old people and sick people. or have a weak immune system.
Listeria bacteria are classified as Gram-positive bacteria. This bacterium is very strong and resistant to heat, acids and salt. This bacterium is also freeze resistant and can continue to grow at temperatures of 0.4 ° C to 45 ° C with an optimal development temperature of 37 ° C. This means that food or fruit that has entered the refrigerator still contains live listeria bacteria.
In general, Listeria bacteria are found in soil, water and animal waste. Humans are usually infected with listeria after eating the following foods:
- Raw vegetables or fruit from contaminated soil or fertilizer.
- Tainted animal flesh.
- Milk or milk products without pasteurization.
- Food from processed meat that is contaminated.
Listeria bacteria can be found attached to the surface of the fruit. These bacteria can then enter the fruit flesh after the fruit is cut with a knife. Although bacteria enter the fruit, the appearance, taste and contaminated fruit do not show a distinctive difference.
Symptoms of Listeria bacterial infection
Infections caused by Listeria bacteria are called listeriosis. Symptoms of listeriosis can occur at any time during the period of 3 to 70 days after infection with Listeria. Symptoms experienced by someone after being infected with Listeria usually include fever, muscle aches and nausea or diarrhea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms include headaches, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance.
For infected pregnant women, only minor illnesses such as influenza, fever, fatigue and muscle aches may occur. However, listeria can pose dangerous risks to the fetus, such as miscarriage, premature labor or serious infections that can threaten the lives of newborns.
While in the elderly and people with low immunity, listeria infection can spread through the bloodstream 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 eating food or fruit. You can immediately see a doctor for proper treatment.
How to defeat and prevent Listeria bacterial infections
Treatment for listeria infection actually varies depending on the symptoms that emerge. People with listeriosis usually need medical care. The doctor will provide antibiotic treatment to fight the Listeria bacteria. Especially for newborns, doctors can prescribe a combination of several types of antibiotics, the appropriate dosage.
To prevent bacterial infection with listeria, the Ministry of Health plans the following 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, with a clean brush before storing, then dry with a clean cloth or paper.
- Separate raw meat and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and processed foods.
- Wash kitchen utensils, in the form of tools or cut blocks, which have been used for raw meat, poultry and animal products before using them in other food products.
- Wash your hands with soap before treating food and when
By following these tips, you should prevent infection with listeria. Cooked foods are usually 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 pay attention to how to maintain food properly. Then wash and clean the food before eating or cooking. If you have health problems after eating certain foods, you should immediately consult a doctor or the nearest health center.
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