Listeriosis, commonly known as Listeria, is a bacterial infection caused by the listeria bacterium.  It is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be dangerous to pregnant women or people who have weakened immune systems.  The infection usually doesn't make you ill if you are a healthy person; rather, unborn babies, newborns, or people with weak immune systems are at risk.  Listeria is very common and has a higher fatality rate in America than Salmonella. 

Depending on the overall health of the person, he or she may or may not experience any symptoms.  If symptoms do occur, the person usually experiences them one or two days after ingesting the bacteria.  In some rarer cases, it could take up to two months for symptoms to appear.  Symptoms are usually gastrointestinally related.  If a pregnant lady ingests the bacteria, she may only experience nausea, for instance, but the unborn baby may die unexpectedly or have a life-threatening infection days after birth.  Common symptoms include:

• Muscle Aches
• Diarrhea
• Stomach Pain
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Sore Neck
• Headache

The listeria bacterium is commonly found in water, soil, and feces.  Some foods can harbor the bacteria, and people get infected if they consume those foods.  The most common foods that harbor the bacteria include deli meats, processed foods, vegetables grown in contaminated soil, or unpasteurized dairy products.  Possible causes can include:

• Eating foods contaminated with the listeria bacterium
• Diabetes
• Existing kidney diseas
• Cirrhosis
• Surgical removal of the spleen
• Mother passing bacteria to unborn baby

• First and foremost, it is best to avoid eating processed foods, dairy products, meat or meat products, and produce grown with genetically modified organisms.  These foods have been known to commonly harbor the bacteria, so avoiding them altogether can benefit you in the long run.  Fresh, organic vegetables and fruit, nuts and seeds, and whole grains give your body the proper nutrients it needs without added chemicals getting in the way. 
• It's important to properly store and wash your foods prior to consuming them.  Proper refrigeration can prevent bacteria from developing and washing the food can clean it of other viruses or parasites.
• Apple cider vinegar is a great natural remedy for Listeriosis.  It has an alkalizing effect when ingested and can help soothe gastrointestinal lining, kill bacteria, and provide relief from Listeriosis symptoms.  Mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and drink this before consuming a meal. Additionally, you can drink 2-3 teaspoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar to help relieve symptoms. 
• Staying hydrated is important because you don't want to get dehydrated if you contract Listeriosis.  The recommended amount of water to drink is eight 8oz. glasses per day.  Another good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.  If you weigh 150lbs then you should drink 75oz of water per day. 
• Lemon has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties that kill bacteria, which cause Listeriosis. To help clear out your system, mix the juice of 1 lemon with a cup of warm water and drink this once or twice a day.
• Keep your environment clean.  Since you contracted Listeriosis via a bacterium, it's important to keep your surroundings clean.  If deli meat, for instance, touched your countertop, you want to clean it just in case the bacteria from the meat transferred to the surface. 

• Ginger
• Lemon
• Basil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Fenugreek Seeds
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Bananas
• Herbal Teas
• Raw Organic Honey