Symptoms Of Listeriosis (Listeria)

Stiff Neck

A stiff neck is a very serious symptom because it indicates the listeriosis has spread to your nervous system. It's rare for individuals to experience a nervous system infection due to listeriosis, but the symptoms and progression can be potentially life-threatening. Not every stiff neck is caused by a nervous system infection. Sometimes an individual's neck may be stiff just because they slept at a strange angle. But if an individual knows they've eaten potentially-contaminated food, they should seek emergency medical treatment if they experience a stiff neck, especially if it's combined with other cognitive symptoms or a high fever. If individuals have developed bacterial meningitis due to the infection, they may become permanently disabled or even die. Bacterial meningitis is especially dangerous to infants and toddlers.