(HealthDay News) -- Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that's contracted from contaminated food or drink. The infection can cause serious effects for a pregnant woman and her growing fetus, including miscarriage or early delivery.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers this advice about how pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting listeriosis:

• Avoid eating processed meats such as hot dogs and deli or lunch meats, unless you heat them in the microwave or regular oven until steaming.
• Avoid meat spreads, smoked seafoods and pate that require refrigeration.
• Don't drink unpasteurized (sometimes called raw) milk or foods made with this ingredient. Cheeses that say "made with pasteurized milk" are OK.
• Avoid store-bought pre-made ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad and seafood salad.

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• Infections and Pregnancy