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Haemophilus influenzae Infections

(Hemophilus influenza Infection; Hemophilus)

By

Larry M. Bush

, MD, FACP, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University

Reviewed/Revised Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2023
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Topic Resources
  • Infection is spread through sneezing, coughing, or touching.

  • The bacteria can cause middle ear infections, sinusitis, and more serious infections, including meningitis and epiglottitis, as well as respiratory infections.

  • Identifying the bacteria in a sample taken from blood or from infected tissue confirms the diagnosis.

  • Children are routinely given a vaccine that effectively prevents infections due to Haemophilus influenzae type b.

  • Infections are treated with antibiotics given by mouth or, for serious infections, intravenously.

Many species of Haemophilus normally reside in the upper airways of children and adults and rarely cause disease. One species causes chancroid Chancroid Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi, which causes painful genital sores. Chancroid is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that... read more , a sexually transmitted disease. Other species cause infections of heart valves (endocarditis Infective Endocarditis Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium) and usually also of the heart valves. Infective endocarditis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel... read more Infective Endocarditis ) and, rarely, collections of pus (abscesses) in the brain, lungs, and liver. The species responsible for the most infections is Haemophilus influenzae.

Haemophilus influenzae can cause infections in children and sometimes in adults.

Risk of getting a Haemophilus influenzae infection is increased in the following:

Infection is spread by sneezing, coughing, or touching infected people.

One type of Haemophilus influenzae, called type b, is more likely to cause serious infections.

In children, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can spread through the bloodstream (causing bacteremia Bacteremia Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteremia may result from ordinary activities (such as vigorous toothbrushing), dental or medical procedures, or from infections ... read more ) and infect the joints, bones, lungs, skin of the face and neck, eyes, urinary tract, and other organs.

The bacteria may cause two severe, often fatal infections:

Symptoms vary depending on the part of the body affected.

Diagnosis of H. influenzae Infections

  • Culture of a sample of blood or other body fluids

  • Sometimes examination of a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (obtained by spinal tap)

To diagnose the infection, doctors take a sample of blood, pus, or other body fluids and send it to a laboratory to grow (culture) the bacteria. If people have symptoms of meningitis, doctors do a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system (neurologic) disorders... read more Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) to obtain a sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). Identifying the bacteria in a sample confirms the diagnosis.

Prevention of H. influenzae Infections

If the household of a person with a serious Haemophilus influenzae type b infection includes a child who is under 4 years old and is not fully immunized against Haemophilus influenzae type b, the child should be vaccinated. Also, all members of the household, except pregnant women, should be given the antibiotic rifampin to prevent infection.

If two or more children in a nursery or day care center have Haemophilus influenzae type b infection within a 60-day period, adults and children who were in contact with them should be given an antibiotic.

Treatment of H. influenzae Infections

  • Antibiotics

Haemophilus influenzae infections are treated with antibiotics. Which ones are used depends on the severity and location of the infection and results of susceptibility tests.

If children have a serious infection, they are hospitalized and kept in isolation to prevent other people from being exposed to infected droplets in the air (called respiratory isolation) for 24 hours after antibiotics are started.

Meningitis must be treated as soon as possible. An antibiotic—usually, ceftriaxone or cefotaxime—is given intravenously. Corticosteroids may help prevent brain damage.

Epiglottitis must also be treated as soon as possible. People may need help breathing. An artificial airway, such as a breathing tube, may be inserted or, rarely, an opening may be made in the windpipe (a procedure called tracheostomy). An antibiotic, such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, or cefuroxime, is given.

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Haemophilus influenzae: A resource providing information about Haemophilus influenzae, including how it spreads and vaccination

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Rifadin, Rifadin IV, Rimactane
Ceftri-IM , Ceftrisol Plus, Rocephin
Claforan
Alti-Cefuroxime , Ceftin, Kefurox, Zinacef, Zinacef Powder
Amoxil, Dispermox, Moxatag, Moxilin , Sumox, Trimox
Azasite, Zithromax, Zithromax Powder, Zithromax Single-Dose , Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax, Zmax Pediatric
NUZYRA
Xenleta, Xenleta Solution
Biaxin, Biaxin XL
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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