Meningitis Caused by Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HiB)

Haemophilus influenzae type b, a potentially fatal disease, once claimed many lives. Today, a vaccine is helping save lives.

 

Twenty years ago, if you came down with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), there was a good chance you would die from it.

Today, thanks to a vaccine created in 1988 to protect against this virus, many people are no longer at risk. The Hib vaccine decreased the incidence of invasive diseases caused by H. influenzae type b by about 99 percent. 

One of the diseases that the Hib vaccine protects against is bacterial meningitis, a potentially deadly form of meningitis in which the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord become infected and inflamed.

 H. influenzae type b was once the number one cause of bacterial meningitis in children less than 5 years old. 

While the threat of bacterial meningitis has been greatly reduced by the Hib vaccine, it is not gone completely. 

Effects of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B

 

Typically, H. influenzae can cause ear, eye, upper respiratory, and sinus infections in babies, children, and adults. But H. influenzae type b, a vicious strain, can also cause far more serious health conditions, such as:

• Blood, joint, and bone infections
• Epiglottitis, an infection that attacks the epiglottis, the part of the throat that protects the voice box and windpipe (trachea) during swallowing
• Heart infections, including pericarditis, in which the sack (pericardium) around the heart becomes inflamed, and endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves

H. Influenzae Type B Meningitis: Still a Threat

There are still about two cases of H. influenzae type b meningitis per 100,000 children annually in the United States, and about 5 percent of these children die from the infection. For children who contract meningitis caused by H. influenzae type b, complications may include:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Learning disabilities
• Other serious mental disabilities

And the disease is not limited strictly to children: About 5 to 10 percent of adult cases of bacterial meningitis are also caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b. 

Vaccination Schedule for Haemophilus Influenzae Type B

 

There are two kinds of Hib vaccines. One, which is currently more common, is given to a baby at the ages of 2, 4, and 6 months. The second type of vaccine is given only at 2 and 4 months of age. All babies and toddlers should then get a booster when they are between 12 and 15 months old. Hib vaccine is sometimes given in a combined form with another childhood vaccine, such as the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccine. 

Having your child vaccinated starting at age 2 months is the best way to keep him or her safe from this dangerous disease. 

Who Shouldn’t Get the Hib Vaccine?

 

Some children should not be vaccinated against H. influenzae type b, including:

• Infants younger than 6 weeks old
• Children who are sick when their vaccination is due
• Children who previously had a severe reaction to the meningitis vaccine

A point to remember: The more babies who are vaccinated, the more protected unvaccinated children will be. This is because the unvaccinated individuals will be less likely to run into another child who has a H. influenzae infection. 

High-Risk Patients Who Should Get the Hib Vaccine

There are specific groups of people who should, without question, get the Hib vaccine:

• Children and adults who have sickle cell disease
• Children and adults who have a weakened immune system
• Anyone who has had their spleen removed
• HIV-positive individuals

H. Influenzae Type B Vaccine Safety Issues

Many health agencies and organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health, recommend the Hib vaccine for babies and children. But some parents are concerned about having their child vaccinated. Like any other medication, a vaccine may cause side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction. 

“Some parents also worry that there are too many vaccines in general for a baby’s immune system to handle,” says Andrew Hertz, MD, an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, and medical director of Suburban Pediatrics in Shaker Heights, Ohio. 

There is also concern about a possible connection between the Hib vaccine and diabetes. However, there is no evidence to support any relationship between Hib vaccine and diabetes, says Dr. Hertz.

“It is a fantastic vaccine with a wonderful safety profile,” Hertz say