Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Listeria Meningitis

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis (also called Listeria meningitis and listerial meningitis) is one possible manifestation of a Listeria monocytogenes infection, generally called listeriosis. The elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk of developing Listeria meningitis. Although rare, Listeria monocytogenes meningitis is often fatal.

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and the related fluids. Listeria meningitis presents itself differently than other types of bacterial meningitis. Listeria can directly invade the cerebral cortex, posing additional complications (see below). Seizures are often more frequent in patients with Listeria meningitis.

Listeria Meningitis Attorney Video

Symptoms of Listeria Meningitis

High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of Listeria meningitis(and other types of meningitis) in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. This means that once the symptoms of Listeria meningitis begin, they may develop quite quickly. This does not mean that the symptoms of Listeria meningitis will manifest themselves within several hours of eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria. The incubation period for a Listeria infection is generally between 11 and 70 days, meaning a person could eat Listeria-contaminated food and not get sick for two months.

Other symptoms of Listeria meningitis may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. In newborns and small infants, the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect, and the infant may only appear slow or inactive, or be irritable, have vomiting, or be feeding poorly. In one case where a 3-month-old baby had Listeria meningitis, the baby screamed for days and then began having seizures. If a baby is born with listeriosis, the baby may have Listeria meningitis at birth.

Complications of Listeria Meningitis

Complications of Listeria meningitis can be fatal or lead to permanent disability, even such severe brain damage that the person is unable to communicate or take care of basic needs. This is why it is important to hire an attorney to represent a victim of listeriosis and his or her family. Compensation for the victim should include amounts for anticipated, future medical costs, and the family should be compensated for the loss of their loved one, whether to death or severe mental disability.

Complications of Listeria meningitis can include the following:

  • brain stem damage
  • impairment of consciousness
  • seizures
  • brain abcess
  • hydrocephalus
  • cervical cord compression (spinal injury related to hydrocephalus)

Listeria can also cause Listeria sepsis.

Treatment of Listeria Meningitis

Early diagnosis and treatment of Listeria meningitis are very important. If symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of spinal fluid. The spinal fluid is obtained by performing a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted into an area in the lower back where fluid in the spinal canal is readily accessible. Identification of Listeria as the bacteria responsible is important for selection of correct antibiotics.

Listeria meningitis can be treated with antibiotics; however, there is a concern about the efficacy of some antibiotics given the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of foodborne pathogens.

It is important that treatment be started early in the course of the disease. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from Listeria meningitis, but the fatality rate is still around 70%.

Listeria Meningitis: Free Consultation with Experienced Lawyer
To talk to a Listeria lawyer about Listeria meningitis and a possible lawsuit, please call 1-888-377-8900, e-mail Fred Pritzker at info@pritzkerlaw.com or fill out the firm's free case consultation form.

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