Haemophilus Influenzae type b

WHAT IS HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE?

Haemophilus influenzae is caused by the bacterium H. influenzae and can cause serious invasive disease especially in young children. The infection is different than the seasonal influenza infection which is caused by a virus. Almost all children under the age of five years, with those between 4 and 18 months of age are especially vulnerable. The illness is caused in 95 percent of the cases by the type b. It spreads through coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Haemophilus influenzae can basically infect every organ; depending on the involvement of the organ severity of the disease can be different. This can be meningitis, cellulitis, epiglottitis, septic arthritis, gallbladder infection, urinary tract infection, cervical adenitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, sinusitis and lung infection.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?

It is estimated to be the reason of about three million serious illnesses worldwide and an estimated 386,000 deaths per year mainly meningitis and lung infection. It was the leading cause of childhood bacterial meningitis before introduction of the vaccine in North America and Europe. The incidence has been reduced with the introduction of the vaccine in those countries by 99 percent. The most common presentation (60% of all cases) of invasive disease is meningitis. About 15 to 35% of survivors of the meningitis will have a permanent disability with mental retardation and/or deafness according to the World Health Organization.