What is Hib Meningitis?

Hib meningitis is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type B. Hib meningitis. The introduction of a Hib vaccine in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia has drastically reduced the number of cases and this type of meningitis is now very rare.

Who is vulnerable to the disease?

Hib meningitis is usually seen in infants and very few cases occur after the age of four.

What causes Hib disease?

Hib disease is caused by a bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae. There are six types of this bacteria (a-f). Type b organisms account for 95% of all strains that cause invasive disease. This is the type against which the Hib vaccine protects.

How does Hib disease spread?

Hib disease is spread person-to-person by touching or through breathing the same air. It is not highly infectious. Usually the organisms stay in the nose and throat, but sometimes the bacteria will spread to the lungs or bloodstream and cause a serious infection.

How long does it take to show signs of Hib disease?

The incubation period of Hib disease is unknown, but could be as short as a few days.

What are the symptoms of Hib disease?

This depends on which body systems are affected in the person with invasive Hib disease.

How serious is Hib disease?

Hib disease is potentially very serious. The most common type of invasive Hib disease is meningitis, an infection of the membranes covering the brain (50%–65% of cases). Symptoms of Hib meningitis are fever, decreased mental status, and stiff neck. The mortality rate is 2%–5%. 15%-30% of Hib survivors have some permanent neurologic damage, which may include blindness, deafness, or mental retardation.

Another 17% of invasive Hib cases include epiglottitis, an infection and swelling in the throat that can cause an airway blockage (potentially lethal).

Alternative forms of invasive Hib disease include: joint infection (8%), skin infection (6%), pneumonia (15%), and bone infection (2%).

How do I know if my child has Hib disease?

Diagnosis of Hib disease is normally made based on laboratory tests using a sample of infected body fluid, for example blood or spinal fluid.

Is there a treatment for Hib disease?

Hib disease is treated with antibiotics for 10–14 days. Most cases will require hospitalisation.

Note: even with antibiotic treatment, up to 5% of all children with Hib meningitis die from the disease.

Since 1988, when a Hib vaccine was first introduced, the incidence of Hib disease has decreased more than 99%. From 1996 through 2000, an average of about 70 children per year were reported with Hib disease.

Can you get Hib disease multiple times?

Yes you can. A child with Hib disease may not develop protective levels of antibodies. Children less than two years old who have recovered from invasive Hib disease should be considered unimmunized and receive the Hib vaccine as soon as possible.

See the parents guide giving answers to common immunisation questions.