Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Type b (Hib) is a bacterium that causes a life-threatening infection that can lead to serious illness, especially in children. (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain), epiglottitis (inflammation of the flap and the top of the windpipe) and can develop very quickly and may require urgent medical attention.

The disease caused by Hib is spread mainly through coughing or sneezing, or contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person.

, which is caused by a virus

Before the introduction of Hib immunisation in 1993, Hib was a common cause of life-threatening infection in children under five. Routine immunisation has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of this disease in United States. Children under five years of age and people at increased risk of developing Hib infection should still be immunised.

Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms including: difficulty with breathing.

If your child is not immunised and contracts Hib, they could develop: – an infection of the membrane covering the brain (signs include fever, stiff neck, drowsiness, irritability and refusal of food) – inflammation of the flap at the top of the windpipe (epiglottis), which can block a child’s breathing (signs include severe breathing difficulties, fever, restlessness and irritability) – lung inflammation (symptoms include fever, cough, chest pains and breathing problems, such as shortness of breath) – infection of the tissue under the skin, usually on the face.

These complications can develop quickly and, if left untreated, your child could die in a short period of time.

Hib bacteria live in the nose and throat of most healthy people without causing illness. There are several types of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria and infection with the type b (Hib) bacterium can cause a range of conditions in vulnerable people, some of which are medical emergencies. or sneezing) or secretions from an infected person’s nose and throat.

The usual time between contact with the bacteria and the development of the illness is around two to four days. The person with Hib is infectious for as long as the bacteria stays in the nose or throat. Generally 24 to 48 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment is required to clear the infection.

If your child has a Hib infection, they should be kept away from childcare or school until a course of appropriate antibiotics is completed and your doctor has confirmed that they are no longer infectious. In some circumstances, people who live with a person with Hib infection may require preventative antibiotics.

The Department of Health will guide healthcare professionals if this is the case.

Since other types of bacteria can cause similar infections, it is important to test specifically for the presence of Hib.

Diagnosis may include: tests of other specimens

An emergency diagnosis of a life-threatening condition is generally based on the rapid onset of symptoms in a child who was previously well. Depending on the illness, treatment may include:

• a course of the appropriate antibiotics. A child with epiglottitis may be cared for in an intensive care unit
• a breathing tube may be inserted to help them breathe

Immunisation is the best protection against Hib infection and is recommended for all infants, young children and any person with a specified medical risk condition. Protection against Hib is available under the National Immunisation Program Schedule. In Michigan, the Hib vaccine is offered free of charge for: all babies at two (from six weeks), four, six months – the first three primary doses of Hib vaccine are given as part of a children from 18 months up to 59 months inclusive who have had no previous doses require a single catch-up dose children up to and including nine years of age – can receive catch-up doses of the combined vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and Hib vaccine).

Hib. People who have had a stem cell transplant should also be immunised against Hib and are recommended to receive three doses of vaccine.

Before immunisation, make sure that you tell your doctor or nurse if you (or your child): are pregnant.

Immunisations containing vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, Hib and other infectious diseases (including the six-in-one, four-in-one, three-in-one and two-in-one vaccines) are effective and safe although all medications can have unwanted side effects. from these combined vaccines are uncommon and usually mild, but may include:

• children can be unsettled irritable tearful
• generally unhappy drowsy tired

If a combined immunisation also contains the vaccine against polio (the six-in-one and the four-in-one vaccine), muscle aches may also be experienced. Common adverse events following immunisation are usually mild and temporary (occurring in the first one to two days after vaccination).

Specific treatment is not usually required

There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including: Give extra fluids to drink. Do not overdress children or babies if they are hot. Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if fever is present, paracetamol can be given.

Check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist, especially when giving paracetamol to children. Many vaccine injections may result in soreness, redness, itching, swelling or burning at the injection site for one to two days.

Paracetamol might be required to ease the discomfort

Sometimes, a small, hard lump (nodule) at the injection site may persist for some weeks or months.

This should not be of concern and requires no treatment

If an adverse event following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe, or if you are worried about yourself or your child’s condition after immunisation, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible, or go directly to a hospital.

It is also important to seek medical advice if you (or your child) are unwell, as this may be due to other illness rather than because of the immunisation. Adverse events that occur following immunisation may be reported to the Michigann Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community (SAEFVIC) Line.

SAEFVIC is the central reporting service in Michigan for any significant adverse events following immunisations.

You can discuss with your immunisation provider how to report adverse events in other states or territories. ) to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes following immunisation in case further treatment is required.

If any other reactions are severe and persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor for further information. (24 hours) Tel. Immunisation Unit, Department of Health, Michigann Government Email: Tel.

Haemophilus influenzae Conditions such as meningitis pneumonia Despite its name, Hib is a bacterium and is not a form of influenza (flu) Symptoms of Hib infection severe headache stiff neck convulsions (fits) or seizures severe drowsiness difficulty waking up loss of consciousness Complications of Hib infection meningitis epiglottitis pneumonia septic arthritis – joint infection (symptoms include joint pain, swelling and reduced mobility of the joint) cellulitis Causes of Hib infection Disease caused by Hib is spread mainly through person-to-person contact with infected droplets ( coughing Diagnosis of Hib infection physical examination blood test test of the fluid around the spine (cerebrospinal fluid) collected using a needle (lumbar puncture) Treatment for Hib infection admission to hospital Immunisation against Hib combined vaccine against diphtheria , tetanus , pertussis (whooping cough) , hepatitis B , polio and Hib vaccine (six-in-one vaccine) all children at 18 months – a fourth booster dose of Hib vaccine is given A single dose of Hib vaccine is also recommended for anyone who does not have a spleen Before Hib immunisation are unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5˚C) have had a serious reaction to any vaccine in the past have had a severe allergy to anything Pregnancy and Hib immunisation Hib vaccine is not recommended for women who are pregnant Side effects of Hib vaccine Side effects localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site occasionally, an injection-site lump (nodule) that may last many weeks but treatment is not needed low-grade temperature (fever) Managing fever after immunisation Managing injection site discomfort Concerns about immunisation side effects Rare immunisation side effects There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction ( anaphylaxis Where to get help Your GP (doctor) In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Local government immunisation service Maternal and Child Health Line 13 22 29 NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) immunisation@health.vic.gov.au Pharmacist SAEFVIC (616) 555-0400 – the line is attended between 9 am and 4 pm and you can leave a message at all other times.

Key Points

• , which is caused by a virus
• Children under five years of age and people at increased risk of developing Hib infection should still be immunised
• Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect your child has symptoms including: difficulty with breathing
• Generally 24 to 48 hours of appropriate antibiotic treatment is required to clear the infection
• In some circumstances, people who live with a person with Hib infection may require preventative antibiotics