What is Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease?
Until recently, Hib was one of the most important causes of bacterial infection in young children. Hib causes a variety of diseases, such as meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the spinal column and brain), blood stream infections, pneumonia, arthritis, epiglottitis (inflammation of the upper airway or “croup”), and infection of other parts of the body. Since an effective vaccine has been available, very few cases of Hib disease are now diagnosed.
