Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)

Thankfully, Hib disease has plummeted by more than 99 percent since the Hib vaccine was introduced in 1988 – in countries where the vaccine is used. Nevertheless, Hib remains a major worldwide problem - Dr Greene

Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)
Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)

image by: HistioMom

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Vaccines Protect Our Kids and Our Communities

When I was a pediatric resident in the early 1980s, I cared for many children who were gravely ill as a result of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) infection. "H. flu" was once the most common cause of bacterial meningitis (and acquired intellectual disability) in children younger than age 5. But, after the introduction of Hib vaccines during the mid-1980s, Hib cases in this age group dropped by more than 99 percent. Today, when I ask a room of pediatric residents how many of them have seen even a single case of H. flu, often no one raises a hand.

That is how it should be.

Those immersed in the current vaccine debate may not remember or have experienced severe childhood…

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 Vaccines Protect Our Kids and Our Communities

When I was a pediatric resident in the early 1980s, I cared for many children who were gravely ill as a result of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) infection. "H. flu" was once the most common cause of bacterial meningitis (and acquired intellectual disability) in children younger than age 5. But, after the introduction of Hib vaccines during the mid-1980s, Hib cases in this age group dropped by more than 99 percent.

CDC

Haemophilus influenzae (including Hib) is a bacterium that can cause a severe infection, occurring mostly in infants and children younger than five years of age. It can cause lifelong disability and be deadly. In spite of its name, Haemophilus influenzae bacteria do not cause influenza (the "flu").

History of Vaccines

Before Hib vaccination, about 20,000 children younger than five developed severe Hib disease in the United States each year, and about 1,000 died. By 2006, the number of reported Hib cases was down to only 29 for the year. Now, while the majority of fatalities from Hib disease are reported in developing countries where the Hib vaccine is not widely used, fatalities still occur in developed nations when vaccination rates drop.

Meningitis Research Foundation

A conjugate vaccine (made from a tiny fragment of the bacteria's sugar-coat attached to a protein) against Hib was introduced in the UK and Ireland in 1992, and provides long-lasting immunity. Since the introduction of the Hib vaccine, the incidence of meningitis cause by Haemophilus influenzae has been reduced by over 90%, across the UK and Ireland.

National Vaccine Information Center

The most common symptoms of severe Hib infection are fever and altered central nervous system function. Less common symptoms can be osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, pericarditis, orbital cellulitis, endophthalmitis, urinary tract infection, abscesses, and bacteremia.4

Textbook of Bacteriology

Haemophilus influenzae is widespread in its distribution among the human population. It was first isolated by Pfeiffer during the influenza pandemic of 1890. It was mistakenly thought to be the cause of the disease influenza, and it was named accordingly.

Dr Greene

Not long ago H influenzae type b (Hib) was the number one cause of bacterial meningitis. More than half of the cases of Hib infection in the United States involve bacterial meningitis. Thankfully, Hib disease has plummeted by more than 99 percent since the Hib vaccine was introduced in 1988 – in countries where the vaccine is used. Nevertheless, Hib remains a major worldwide problem.

MedicineNet

The HIB vaccine is a "conjugate" vaccine. It joins ("conjugates") sugars from the HIB bacteria with a protein from another bacteria. The protein stimulates the baby's immature immune cells so they produce antibodies to the HIB sugars, protecting the child from HIB infection.

NHS

Hib infections used to be a serious health problem in the UK, but the routine immunisation against Hib in infants since 1992 means these infections are now rare. Of the small number of cases that do occur nowadays, most affect adults with long-term (chronic) underlying medical conditions, rather than young children.

Patient

Before the Hib vaccine was introduced, about four in every 100 pre-school children carried the Hib organism; after the vaccine was introduced, carriage rates fell below the level of detection.

TeensHealth

If you're reading this, it's probably because you heard about Hib and wonder what it is. The good news is, if you live in the United States, you were probably vaccinated against Hib infections when you were a baby.

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