Listeriosis is a rare but serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called Listeria. Listeriosis mostly affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are about 13 times more likely than the general population to get listeriosis. About 1 in 6 of the patients who are diagnosed with listeriosis are pregnant women.
Pregnant women with listeriosis may experience a mild, flu-like illness or no symptoms. However, listeriosis can be very serious for unborn babies or newborn infants. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to fetal loss (miscarriage or stillbirth), premature delivery, or serious infection in newborn infants.