What is haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) disease?
Hib is one of the most important causes of serious bacterial infection in young children. Hib may cause a variety of diseases such as meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the spinal column and brain), blood stream infections, pneumonia, arthritis and infections of other parts of the body. Who gets Hib disease? Hib disease is most common in children three months to three years of age. How is Hib disease spread? Hib disease may be transmitted through contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person. What are the symptoms of Hib disease? Symptoms may include fever, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms depend upon the part of the body affected. How soon do symptoms appear? The incubation period for Hib disease is usually less than 10 days. When and for how long is a person able to spread Hib disease? The contagious period varies and, unless treated, may persist for as long as the organism is present in the nose and throat, even after symptoms have disapp
