Listeria Risks

[worried1216]

Everytime I turn around I am taught something new that could potentially damage my baby.  Short of living in a bubble, which I have considered,  I am not sure what to do.  I have always been extremely PARANOID. So chances are good you will get a question from one on a weekly basis. Lucky you ;)   I have had subway about 3 times since I have found out I was pregnant, I had it toasted but later found out the temperature only gets to 115 degrees ( not high enough to kill the bacteria)  I am currently freaked out (actually losing sleep) that I have some how contracted the disease.  I called my OB office and asked if they could do a blood test for peace of mind, but they said they didn't do it.   I am being overly worried, or do I need to find an office that will provide the test?   What are the chances of even contracting the disease in the first trimester?  My assumption would be my immune system is still strong, but I really no nothing.  I am currently 5 weeks.  Thank you for your time.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I totally agree with you about the paranoia surrounding pregnancy in this age of information technology.  I have been in the business since the early 1980's (don't tell anyone else!) and I have never seen a case of Listeria.  The point of this comment is simply to tell you that the risk of contracting the disease from Subway is vanishingly small.

There are things that you can (and should) do to minimize your risk, such as avoiding unpasturized Jalisco cheese, and heating your lunch meat.  But, if you were my patient, in the absence of symptoms, I would not run a test for Listeria, nor would I recommend that you have it done elsewhere.  

The CDC reports about 1700 cases of Listeriosis in the
US each year.  This seems like a lot until you remember that the population of the US is
1.2 billion people.  So the risk is 1700/1,200,000,000 which is so small that my calculator won't give the answer without a power of 10.

I hope this will reasure you somewhat.  I also hope you continue to post!
Good luck!
Dr B

[Concernedpreggo]

A related discussion, Listeria was started.

[Gudstuff]

Hello doctor, i am really worried. i think i might be pregnant. My last period was july 20th and its now August 27 and still no period. i have being peeing none stop, i am bloated,and feel very uncomfortable. about 2 weeks ago i have some light spotting like pinkish brownish which lated like 3 days, now am having discharge very thick and light cramps. i took like 4 test, and they were all negative. the last one i took a few hours ago. i dont know to think or do. Can u plz help> Freaking out!!!