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Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
Medical Questions » Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
| Name: Haemophilus influenzae B Infection |
| Also known as: HiB Infection |
| Bacterial infection that in children causes meningitis or epiglottis, and in adults may affect numerous organs. |
Causes of Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) is a bacterium that is spread by close contact and can cause infections in any age group, but is far more serious in children. |
Symptoms of Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
CHILDREN:
Meningitis: infection of the meninges (covering of the brain) results in a fever, irritability, lethargy, seizures and coma.
Epiglottis: a life threatening infection of a piece of cartilage at the back of the throat that may swell and block the airways.
ADULTS:
May cause serious pneumonia and less serious types of throat infection, sinusitis, middle ear infection, bronchitis, joint infection, skin infection, heart infection and meningitis. Adults with reduced immunity (eg: in AIDS) may have the same serious infections as children. |
Tests for Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
Blood and fluid from the spinal cord can be tested to confirm the diagnosis. |
Treatment for Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
Infections in adults can be readily treated with appropriate antibiotics (usually as tablets), with minimal long term complications. In children far more potent antibiotics are needed, and they must be given by injection. The swollen epiglottis (piece of cartilage at the back of the throat) may choke the child before the antibiotics can work, so urgent hospitalization and intubation (placing a tube into the throat to permit easy breathing) is essential. A vaccine is now available to prevent HiB infections. It is given at two, four and six months of age at the same time as the triple antigen injection.
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Complications of Haemophilus influenzae B Infection of its treatment
The onset of meningitis may be so rapid that the child may be permanently affected (eg: by deafness, learning difficulties and other forms of brain damage) before the antibiotics can work. |
Likely Outcome of Haemophilus influenzae B Infection
Good recovery if diagnosed and treated early. Permanent damage or death possible in children if treatment delayed. |
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