Classification: ICD-9 320.0; ICD-10 G00.0
Syndromes and synonyms: None.
Agent: Haemophilus influenzae, a Gram-negative bacterium that can be uncapsulated or capsulated. Capsulated strains are classified into serotypes a–f. H. influenzae type b (Hib) is the most pathogenic serotype.
Reservoir: Humans.
Transmission: Hib is transmitted from person to person via airborne droplets or direct contact with respiratory secretions.
Incubation period: Approximately 2–4 days.
Clinical findings: Hib is a common invasive bacterial infection that primarily causes pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia. Pneumonia due to Hib is clinically indistinguishable from other causes of bacterial pneumonia. Hib meningitis may present acutely or subacutely with fever, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and a bulging fontanelle in infants or a stiff neck in older children. Bacteremia may be present with meningitis or pneumonia but may also occur without an obvious focus of infection. Hib may also cause epiglottitis, which presents with fever, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing, talking and breathing. Infections of soft tissue, bones, and joints with H. influenzae may occur.
Diagnostic tests
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