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Summary
Haemophilus is the name of a group of bacteria. There are several types of Haemophilus. They can cause different types of illnesses involving breathing, bones and joints, and the nervous system.
One common type, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), causes serious disease. It usually strikes children under 5 years old. Your child can get Hib disease by being around other children or adults who may have the bacteria and not know it. The germs spread from person to person. If the germs stay in the child's nose and throat, the child probably will not get sick. But sometimes the germs spread into the lungs or the bloodstream, and then Hib can cause serious problems such as meningitis and pneumonia.
Treatment is with antibiotics. There is a vaccine to prevent Hib disease. All children younger than 5 years of age should be vaccinated with the Hib vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Symptoms
- Haemophilus influenzae Disease Symptoms and Complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Diagnosis and Tests
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Risk Factors for Haemophilus influenzae Disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Epiglottitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Images
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) Photos (Immunization Action Coalition)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Haemophilus Infections
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Haemophilus influenzae type b
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
Children
- Your Child's Vaccines: Hib Vaccine (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF Also in Spanish