Charging in with Information about Hib!

🦛 Hib stands for Haemophilus influenzae type b. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with influenza or the flu. It's a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness in babies and young children, especially before age 5.

🦛 Hib can lead to dangerous infections like:

• Meningitis (swelling around the brain and spinal cord)

• Pneumonia

• Severe throat swelling (epiglottitis)

• Bloodstream infections

• Joint or bone infections

 These infections can worsen rapidly and, if not treated, can become deadly.

 🦛Hib can spread through coughs, sneezes, or saliva. Even people who do not feel sick can carry hib in their throat and unknowingly pass it on.

 🦛 Before the vaccine, hib was the top cause of bacterial meningitis in young children. Since then, serious hib infections have dropped by more than 99% in the U.S. Nevertheless, the bacteria still exists, and it can still cause illness in unvaccinated children.

🦛 Early symptoms can depend on where the infection is located in the body.  These symptoms may include fever, trouble breathing, vomiting, poor feeding, stiff neck, or unusual sleepiness. If you think your child has symptoms of a hib infection, notify their pediatrician immediately. 

🦛 Every family is different. Your pediatrician can tell you what makes sense for your child, and what to watch for.