Pregnancy is such a wild ride! As you are growing your new family member, there are a variety of things that you can and can’t do. While these guidelines are in place for good reason, it can be frustrating and even overwhelming to keep them all straight.

One warning that many doctors will express is the dangers of food poisoning in pregnancy. Even though your symptoms will most likely be the same as those of someone who isn’t pregnant, it can pose a dangerous risk to your baby.

Check out our latest blog about food poisoning in pregnancy brought to you by our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team below.

How Do You Get Food Poisoning?

One of the most commonly talked about bacteria that cause food poisoning is listeria. Listeria bacteria can make you feel sick, and it can also pass on to your baby. If this happens, your baby is at risk of miscarriage, being born premature at a low birth weight or even being stillborn.

Listeria is often found in unpasteurized products and unwashed fruits and vegetables. When you go to the store, make sure the milk and cheese products you select are labeled as pasteurized, and always thoroughly wash your produce before you consume it. In addition, deli meat and hot dogs carry the risk of harboring listeria. In order for them to be safe to consume, they need to be heated until steaming in order to kill off the bacteria.

Additional Food Poisoning-Causing Pathogens

• E.coli
• Hepatitis A
• Salmonella
• Norovirus

What Does Food Poisoning Feel Like?

Most food poisoning cases are gastrointestinal, meaning that many of your symptoms occur in the stomach and intestinal tract. You can expect diarrhea, abdominal pain and you can even have a fever as your body begins to launch its immune response.

If you are pregnant and are concerned about a possible listeria exposure, it is important to visit with your OB right away. The quicker you are seen, the better chance you have of avoiding spreading the bacteria to your baby. A round of antibiotics and close monitoring will help ensure that both you and your little one stay safe.

Ways to Avoid Listeria Exposure

• Wash your hands before preparing food.
• Avoid hot dogs or deli meat unless heated until steaming.
• Wash all produce thoroughly.
• Cook all meat to its recommended temperature.
• Don’t eat raw sushi.

Feeling sick? We can help at AFC Urgent Care Louisville.