Common Bacterial

Hib

Hib meningitis is an infection caused by the Haemophilus influenzae serotype b bacteria, which causes an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Click here to download the Hib vaccine sheet.

Neonates

General:
Hib often follows an upper respiratory infection. Anyone can carry the Hib bacteria in the back of their nose and throat. The bacteria can be dormant in the carrier, but they can pass it to someone else. Bacterial meningitis is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing a cup, utensil, lip gloss, or cigarette). The transfer of saliva must be direct because the bacteria can't live outside of the mouth.

The response to immediate treatment is normally positive, but 3-5% of patients end fatally and 20% experience hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, mental retardation, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), learning disorders, and speech or behavioral problems.

The rate of invasive Hib disease has been reduced by 95% in neonates and infants since the introduction of its preventative vaccines. Native Americans and Eskimos are 3 times more likely to contract Hib than the rest of the general population.

Prevention:
Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age 5 before its vaccines were introduced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for children 2 months old with booster shots at 4 months, 6 months, and between 12 and 15 months of age. Hib vaccines including ActHIB, HibTITTER, and PedvaxHIB, may be given simultaneously with other vaccines. Children over 5 years old rarely require Hib vaccination.

Symptoms:

• Irritability
• Nausea/vomiting
• Feeding poorly

Common symptoms such as fevers, headaches, and stiff necks can be tough to detect or might not even occur in neonates and infants.

Diagnosis:
All types of meningitis are diagnosed by growing bacteria from a sample of the infected person's spinal fluid, which is collected by performing a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Results show whether or not the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) has increased white blood cells, lowered glucose or increased protein and is often stained if positive. The proper bacterial identification is important for selection of the correct antibodies.

Treatment:
Hib meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin and oral antibiotics such as ciproflaxin or rifampin, until the infection's resistance to the drugs contradicts treatment. Steroid medications are used to prevent hearing loss.


Source(s):
www.cdc.gov/nip
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus

Infants/children

General:
Hib often follows an upper respiratory infection. Anyone can carry the Hib bacteria in the back of their nose and throat. The bacteria can be dormant in the carrier, but they can pass it to someone else. Bacterial meningitis is spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing a cup, utensil, lip gloss, or cigarette). The transfer of saliva must be direct because the bacteria can't live outside of the mouth.

The response to immediate treatment is normally positive, but 3-5% of patients end fatally and 20% experience hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, mental retardation, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), learning disorders, and speech or behavioral problems.

The rate of invasive Hib disease has been reduced by 95% in neonates and infants since the introduction of its preventative vaccines. Native Americans and Eskimos are 3 times more likely to contract Hib than the rest of the general population.


Prevention:
Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age 5 before its vaccines were introduced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for children 2 months old with booster shots at 4 months, 6 months, and between 12 and 15 months of age. Hib vaccines including ActHIB, HibTITTER, and PedvaxHIB, may be given simultaneously with other vaccines. Children over 5 years old rarely require Hib vaccination.

Symptoms:

• Irritability
• Nausea/vomiting
• Feeding poorly

Common symptoms such as fevers, headaches, and stiff necks can be tough to detect or might not even occur in neonates and infants.

Diagnosis:
All types of meningitis are diagnosed by growing bacteria from a sample of the infected person's spinal fluid, which is collected by performing a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Results show whether or not the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) has increased white blood cells, lowered glucose or increased protein and is often stained if positive. The proper bacterial identification is important for selection of the correct antibodies.

Treatment:
Hib meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin and oral antibiotics such as ciproflaxin or rifampin, until the infection's resistance to the drugs contradicts treatment. Steroid medications are used to prevent hearing loss.


Source(s):
www.cdc.gov
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus