It rarely affects people who have a strong immune system. Most young, healthy adults won’t get sick from Listeria.
Illustration of a person laying in a hospital bed with an IV.
But it can cause serious illness and even death if you’re 65 or older. This is because your immune system has a harder time recognizing and getting rid of harmful germs like Listeria as you get older. You also have less stomach acid that helps kill germs.
Every year, 1,600 people in the U.S. get sick from Listeria, and more than half are older adults. Older adults with Listeria almost always have to be hospitalized, and, sadly, 1 in 6 die.
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