Haemophilus Influenzae Infection - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Haemophilus influenzae, or H. influenzae, represents a group of bacteria that may cause different types of infections in infants and children. Until recently, Hib disease was an important cause of serious, often deadly, infections in children under age 5. A more serious strain of the bacteria called H. influenzae type b has been nearly abolished in the US due to effective vaccine development, which has been available since 1988. The more serious strain was responsible for causing meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain) and a life-threatening infection called epiglottitis (infection of the area of the throat that covers and protects the voice box and trachea during swallowing). In rare cases, children may still develop H. influenzae type b infections. This can occur if the child has not completed their series of immunizations or in older children who did not receive the vaccine as an infant.

Symptoms of Haemophilus Influenzae Infection

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Influenzae Infection are as follows:

• Skin redness.
• Pneumonia.
• Meningitis.
• Conjunctivitis .
• Headache.
• Fever .
• Sore throat.
• Nausea or diarrhea.
• Irritation.

Treatment of Haemophilus Influenzae Infection

Find effective treatment methods of treating Influenzae Infection :

• Prompt use of intravenous antibiotics and good supportive care are the mainstays of therapy.
• The recommended treatment for H. influenzae meningitis is ampicillin for strains of the bacterium that do not make ß-lactamase.
• Treatment with antibiotics should be started immediately to stop the infection from causing brain damage or death.