Hib disease

Throat anatomy The throat includes the esophagus; windpipe, also known as the trachea; voice box, also known as the larynx; tonsils; and epiglottis. Epiglottitis happens when the epiglottis — a small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe — swells. The swelling blocks the flow of air into the lungs. Epiglottitis can be deadly. Many factors can cause the epiglottis to swell. These factors include infections, burns from hot liquids and injuries to the throat. Epiglottitis can happen at any age. Once, mainly children got it. The most common cause of epiglottitis in children was infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. The bacterium also causes pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. Routine Hib vaccination for infants has made epiglottitis rare in children. It's now more common in adults. The condition needs quick care to prevent deadly complications. Symptoms Symptoms in children Children can develop symptoms of epiglottitis within hours. Symptoms can include: • Fever. • Sore throat. • Unusual, high-pitched sound when breathing in, known as stridor. • Difficult and painful swallowing. • Drooling. • Acting anxious and irritable. • Sitting up or leaning forward to ease breathing. Symptoms in adults Adults might get symptoms over days rather than hours. Symptoms might include: • Sore throat. • Fever. • A muffled or hoarse voice. • Unusual, high-pitched sound when breathing in, known as stridor. • Difficulty breathing. • Difficulty swallowing. • Droolin...

What is Hib Disease? Hib disease is a serious illness caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b. Babies and children younger than 5 years old are most at risk for Hib disease, but it can also affect adults with certain medical conditions. Hib is spread through respiratory droplets, mostly coughing and sneezing, and through lengthy contact with an infected person. Hib bacteria can cause mild illness, such as ear infections or bronchitis, or severe illness, such as infections of the bloodstream, joints and the linings of the brain and spinal cord. Hib disease can cause lifelong disability and can be deadly. Burden Hib disease occurs mostly in children younger than age 5 years and adults age 65 years and older. American Indian people and Alaska Native people are at increased risk, as are people with certain medical conditions, including: • Antibody and complement deficiency syndromes that affect the body’s ability to fight infections • Asplenia (no spleen) • Cancer requiring treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow stem cell transplant • HIV infection • Sickle cell disease Symptoms Hib disease can cause many different kinds of infections from mild cases such as ear infections, to severe illnesses like bloodstream infections and meningitis. The most common types of serious disease caused by Hib include: • Bloodstream infection • Cellulitis (skin infection) • Epiglottitis (swelling in the throat) • Infectious arthritis • Meningitis • Pneumonia H...

Haemophilus influenzae are Overview of Gram-Negative Bacteria Bacteria are classified by how they appear under the microscope and by other features. Gram-negative bacteria are classified by the color they turn after a chemical process called Gram staining... read more that can cause infection in the respiratory tract, which can spread to other organs. Many species of Haemophilus normally reside in the upper airways of children and adults and rarely cause disease. One species causes Chancroid Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi, which causes painful genital sores. Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that... read more , a sexually transmitted disease. Other species cause infections of heart valves ( Infective Endocarditis Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium) and usually also of the heart valves. Infective endocarditis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel... read more ) and, rarely, collections of pus (abscesses) in the brain, lungs, and liver. The species responsible for the most infections is Haemophilus influenzae. People with an Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders Immunodeficiency disorders involve malfunction of the immune system, resulting in infections that develop and recur more frequently, are more severe, and last longer than usual. Immunodeficiency... read more , no Overview of the Spleen The spleen, a spongy, soft organ about as big a...

What Is Hib? Haemophilus influenzae type b Hib Immunization Schedule The Hib vaccine is given by injection at ages: • 2 months • 4 months • 6 months (however, some of the Hib vaccines do not require a dose at 6 months) • a booster dose at 12–15 months Kids ages 15 months or older who are receiving the vaccine for the first time only need one dose. Children ages 12 months to 59 months (almost 5 years old) may need more doses if their immune systems are weakened due to things like asplenia (when the The vaccine is not routinely recommended for kids older than 5 unless they have a condition that weakens the Sometimes doctors give the Hib vaccine in combination with other vaccines, such as DTaP, IPV, or HepB vaccines. Why Is the Hib Vaccine Recommended? The vaccine provides long-term protection from Haemophilus influenzae type b. Those who are immunized have protection against Hib meningitis; Possible Risks of Hib Immunization Minor problems — such as redness, swelling, or tenderness where the shot was given — can happen. There is a very small chance of an allergic reaction with any vaccine. The Hib vaccine only contains a small piece of the germ and so it cannot cause Hib disease. When to Delay or Avoid Hib Immunization The vaccine is not recommended if your child: • is currently sick, although simple colds or other minor illnesses should not prevent immunization • had a severe allergic reaction ( Caring for Your Child After Hib Immunization The vaccine may cause mild sorenes...

Older pediatricians understand the value of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine. They watched this vaccine, first introduced in the early 1990s, virtually eliminate a disease that affected about 20,000 children every year in the United States. Three to four doses of this vaccine are recommended for all children between 2 and 15 months of age. What is Haemophilus influenzae type b? Haemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) is a bacterium that infects the lining of the brain, causing meningitis. Meningitis is caused by several different bacteria. However, before the Hib vaccine, Hib was by far the most common cause of meningitis. Children with meningitis often have fever, stiff neck and drowsiness. Symptoms can progress to include coma and death. Some children recover from the disease but are left permanently paralyzed, deaf, blind or mentally impaired. Hib can also cause bloodstream infection (sepsis), pneumonia, cellulitis, arthritis and epiglottitis. Perhaps no disease was more frightening than this last one. The epiglottis, a tissue that sits on top of the windpipe, prevents food from entering the windpipe when swallowing. When the epiglottis is infected, it blocks the windpipe, causing suffocation and occasionally death. How do you catch Hib? Hib is a bacterium that is commonly found lining the surface of the nose and the back of the throat. Because most adults have immunity to Hib, a mother will passively transfer antibodies from her own blood to the blood of her newbor...