Hib causes a bacterial
infection which may cause meningitis (infection of the tissues lining the
brain), epiglottitis (swelling of a part of the throat which may result in
obstruction to breathing), pneumonia (lung infection), joint infection or
cellulitis (infection of the tissue under the skin).
In infants symptoms of meningitis
include:
- fever
- refusing feeds
- fretfulness
- child is difficult to wake
- high pitched or moaning cry
- pale or blotchy skin.
In older children and adults symptoms of
meningitis include:
- headache
- fever
- vomiting
- neck stiffness and joint pains
- drowsiness or confusion
- discomfort on looking at
bright lights.
Symptoms of epiglottitis
include:
- fever
- sore throat
- dribbling (unable to swallow
saliva)
- difficulty in swallowing and
breathing.
Diagnosis is made by growing
bacteria from the blood or CSF (fluid surrounding the brain and spinal
cord).
The disease is spread directly
from person-to-person; by contact with airborne droplets from the nose or
throat, or indirectly, by contact with articles soiled with discharges from the
nose or throat.
Incubation period
2-4
days
Infectious period
As long as there are Hib
bacteria present in the nose and throat. Hib is not able to be spread after 1-2
days of starting appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Control of spread
Vaccination against Hib is
routinely given to all children starting at 2 months of age and is recommended
for all children under 5 years of age. While immunisation is highly effective in
protecting young children against serious Hib infections, occasional cases in
vaccinated children still occur.
A child with Hib infection
may be given a course of an antibiotic called rifampicin in addition to the
antibiotic used to treat the Hib infection. Rifampicin is used to eliminate Hib
from the throat and prevents the spread of Hib to
others.
The infected child cannot
return to school or day care until they have completed a course of rifampicin
and a medical certificate of recovery is received. Under certain circumstances,
Public health authorities may recommend that rifampicin also be given to
household members or staff or students of day care centres attended by a child
with Hib infection.
Rifampicin is given to prevent
the spread of Hib infection. However, it may not always be successful in
preventing infection in the contacts of a case. Urgent medical attention should
be sought if a contact (treated or untreated) develops any symptoms of Hib
infection.
Treatment
A child with Hib will be
treated in hospital with antibiotics.
Hib infection is a notifiable
disease.
Adapted from "You’ve got
What?", with the permission of the Department of Human Services, South
Australia.