How to Treat Listeria Infections

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It primarily affects people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and their fetuses, and newborn. Listeria normally lives in soil and water, but you can contract it by eating contaminated food. It has a mortality rate of 25 percent for adults and 50 percent for newborn. The following steps will show you how to treat listeriosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Give intravenous antibiotics promptly for severe cases of listeriosis and to pregnant women to prevent infection of the fetus. Listeriosis can be fatal even with prompt treatment, especially in elderly patients and those with underlying illnesses.

• 2

  Continue antibiotic treatment of listeriosis for 14 days if the patient has a competent immune system. Brain abscess should be treated for at least 6 weeks, endocarditis for 4 to 6 weeks and meningitis for 3 weeks.

• 3

  Care for babies with listeriosis using the same antibiotics as adults. A combination of antibiotics often may be used until the diagnosis has been confirmed. Carefully monitor the patient's fluid, electrolyte balance, nutrition and vital signs.

• 4

  Place critically ill newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit. Consultations with neonatologists may be useful when caring for newborns.

• 5

  Use ampicillin in combination with an aminoglycoside, such as gentamicin for synergy. Gentamicin may be discontinued after 1 week of improvement to reduce the chance of renal toxicity. Listeria is not susceptible to cephalosporins of any generation.