Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

Listeriosis is usually diagnosed when a bacterial culture (a type of laboratory test) grows Listeria from a body tissue or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta.

Treatment

Invasive illness: People with an invasive illness are treated with antibiotics. Learn more about the treatment of people who have an invasive illness or who have a greater chance of developing one >

Intestinal illness: Most people recover from intestinal illness without antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are needed only for patients who are very ill or at risk of becoming very ill. People who have an intestinal illness should drink extra fluids while they have diarrhea.