Haemophilus influenza type b(Hib) disease is a leading cause of childhood bacterial meningitis, pneumonia and other serious infection. Haemophilus influenza is a type of bacteria that can cause many different kinds of infections, these infections range from mild, ear infections, to serious, like bloodstream infections.
Doctors consider some of these infections “Invasive“ invasive disease happens when the bacteria invade parts of the body that are normally free from germs. For example, Haemophilus influenza can invade the spinal fluid causing meningitis, or bloodstream causing bacteraemia. Invasive disease is usually serious requiring treatment in a hospital and can sometimes result in death.
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The most common type of invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenza is:-
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia ( lungs infection)
- Bloodstream infections
- Epiglottitis (swelling in the throat)
- Cellulitis(skin infection)
- Infection of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) Note: Haemophilus influenza can also be a common cause of ear infections in children and bronchitis in adults.
How it spreads
People spreads Haemophilus influenza including (Hib) to others through respiratory droplets, this bacteria in their nose or throat coughs or sneezes. People who are not sick but have the bacteria in their nose and throat can still spread the bacteria, that is how the bacteria spread most time.
Symptoms
Haemophilus influenza can cause many different kinds of infections, symptoms depends on the part of the body infected.
Pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Muscle pain or aches
- Excessive tiredness
Bloodstream
Symptoms of bloodstream infections include:
- Stomach pains or aches
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Anxiety
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Excessive tiredness
- Altered mental status (confusion)
Meningitis Symptoms typically include sudden onset of :-
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Fever
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Photophobia (eye being more sensitive to light)
- Confusion
Babies with meningitis may be irritable, vomits, feed poorly or appear to be slow or inactive. In young babies, a doctor may also test the child’s reflexes which can be abnormal with meningitis.
Vaccine
A vaccine can prevent disease caused by Hib, but not the other types (“strains”) of Haemophilus influenza bacteria. Hib vaccines are safe and work well even when it is given in early infancy. The vaccine is included in the routine childhood vaccination programs in more than 184 countries in all regions of the world.
As result, invasive Hib disease has been practically eliminated in many industrialised countries, and its incidence has been dramatically reduced in some parts of the developing world. World Health Organisation recommends the use of Hib vaccines in all routine infants immunizations programs.
Safety
Most children who get a Hib vaccine do not have any problem with it, however, side effects that occur most are mild, meaning they do not affect daily the activity and get better on their own in a few days. Mild side effects can include fever or redness, warmth or swelling where the doctor gave the shots.
Centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) recommends(3or4) shots of Hib vaccines at the following ages
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months (if needed, depends on the brand)
- 12 through 15 months
- Younger than 5 years Make sure your child gets all shots of Haemophilus influenza type b(Hib) vaccine for protection against Hib disease. Hib vaccine protects young children when they are at the highest risk of getting Hib disease and having serious complications.
Call your child’s doctor if you have questions and to make sure your child receives all recommended doses. Older children and adults usually don’t need a Hib vaccines. However, Centre for disease control and prevention recommends Hib for people with certain medical conditions.
By: Peace Chigozie
