Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a bacterial infection primarily affecting young children and spreading through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with someone who is infected.

• Hib can cause life-threatening illnesses, including:
  • Meningitis – A life-threatening brain infection that can cause brain damage or death.
  • Pneumonia – A lung infection that makes breathing difficult.
  • Bloodstream infections (sepsis) – A severe infection that spreads throughout the body.
  • Epiglottitis – A dangerous throat swelling that can block breathing.
  • Cellulitis – Infection of the skin
• Symptoms often start with a fever, cough, breathing trouble, or irritability, depending on where the infection spreads.
• 40-80% of children carry the bacteria without symptoms.
• Before the Hib vaccine, there were 20,000 cases of invasive disease each year, with a 3-6% death rate.
• Treatment requires antibiotics and often hospital care. The Hib vaccine has made these infections rare, but without vaccination, young children are at serious risk. Vaccination is the best protection.

The Hib Vaccines remain the best protection against Haemophilus Influenza Type B. Stay protected. Stay informed.

Here is a video that goes into more detail about Hib.