Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a bacteria that can cause a severe infection and life-threatening illness, especially in children. Having Hib can fastly develop diseases like Pneumonia, meningitis, and epiglottitis, which need immediate medical intervention. Moreover, Hib is transferred mainly through coughs, sneezes, and interaction with fluids from an affected person’s respiratory tract. Despite its name, Hib is a bacteria, not a virus that causes influenza (flu).
SYMPTOMS
Seek immediate medical treatment if you believe your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
If your child isn’t immunised and the symptoms worsen, they are crucial could develop:
These problems can happen quickly, and if they are not treated, your child might die in a short period.
DIAGNOSIS
Since other bacteria might cause similar conditions, getting an accurate haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) test is crucial. There are a variety of diagnoses that can be made:
The sudden emergence of symptoms in a previously healthy child is usually used to make an initial diagnosis of a life-threatening disease.
TREATMENT
Treatment options vary depending on the illness:
A child with epiglottitis may be treated in an ICU, and a ventilator may be implanted to assist them in breathing.
Vaccination against hemophilus influenzae type B should begin at birth. All newborns are administered the first three main dosages of the Hib vaccine at their two, four, and six months of age as part of a combination immunization against tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis, polio, Hib, and diphtheria in one vaccine.
A fourth higher dose of Hib vaccination is administered to all children in 18 months. Children aged 18 months to 59 months who have not previously received a dosage need a singular catch-up dosage. Additionally, catch-up doses of the combined vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, and Hib vaccine) are available for nine and up children.
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