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What
is Haemophilus influeanza type B?
Haemophilus influenzae type b is a bacterium (germ)
that can cause serious diseases, especially in children
under 5 years of age. Often called Hib, the disease
was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis (an
infection of the protective membranes surrounding
the brain) before the advent of effective vaccines.
Today, Hib meningitis is fatal for 2-5% of the children
who contract it. While, 35% may develop forms of
permanent brain damage, such as seizures, deafness,
or mental retardation. Hib can also cause other
diseases in children, some of which may have serious
consequences. A few of these diseases are sepsis
(an infection throughout the whole body that is
often life-threatening), pneumonia, and pericarditis
(an infection of the membrane surrounding the heart).
Who
is at risk for Haemophilus type B?
Prior to the availability of a Hib vaccine, Hib
disease affected primarily young children, with
most cases occurring in infants between 6-11 months
of age. Forty-seven percent of all cases occur
by 1 year of age with the remaining 53% of cases
occurring over the next 4 years. Among children
under 5 years of age, certain children are at
a higher risk of Hib disease:
>
Day-care attendees
>
Those in lower socio-economic groups
>
African-Americans
>
Native Americans
>
Caucasians who lack specific antibodies
>
Those in contact with household cases of Hib disease
>
Those with no spleen or a spleen disorder, sickle
cell anemia, or immune deficiencies that lower
the body's resistance to infection
How
can you help protect your child from HIB infection?
The good news is that you can help protect your
child from Hib disease. The Advisory Committee
on immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention recommends that most children
receive a series of Hib vaccinations. Talk with
your doctor or healthcare professional about the
risks and benefits of vaccination to help protect
your child against the disease and its possible
complications.
Other
serious diseases that can be
caused by HIB infection
>
Epiglottitis-infection and swelling of the epiglottis,
the tissue in the throat that covers and protects
the larynx during swallowing. Epiglottitis may
cause life-threatening airway obstruction
> Septic arthritis-joint
infection
> Cellulitis-blisters
or sores on the face, head, or neck
> Osteomyelitis-bone
infection
While Hib infections can usually be successfully
treated with antibiotics, a child may have to
be hospitalized for 10-14 days. Some Hib infections,
however, may not respond to antibiotics and may
cause significant complications. For these reasons,
it is better to try to prevent Hib disease than
to treat it.
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