Listeria infection during pregnancy commonly presents with which symptom?

• A. Flu-like symptoms
• B. Severe dehydration
• C. High fever with rash
• D. Severe bleeding

Answer: (A)

Listeria infection during pregnancy most often shows a mild, nonspecific illness that resembles a flu-like syndrome. The typical presentation is fever with malaise and fatigue, sometimes with muscle aches and occasional mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Severe dehydration, a high fever with a rash, or heavy bleeding are not the common initial signs of maternal listeriosis. Because the symptoms can be so nonspecific, clinicians look for even mild fever in staying alert for this infection, given its potential risk to the fetus.