Haeomophilus influenza B Flashcards
What organism is responsible for invasive HIB?
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Types a-f are included; other types are not notifiable.
How is HIB transmitted?
Respiratory droplets – person to person or contact with nasal/throat discharges
Usually transmitted from asymptomatic carriers.
What are the clinical features of invasive HIB disease?
- Meningitis
- Epiglottitis (drooling, stridor)
- Pneumonia
- Septic arthritis
- Others (pericarditis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis)
Rarely causes septicaemia with no focus. ASx carriage in naso/oropharynx.
Who are the high-risk groups for HIB?
- Unimmunised children <5 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Individuals with asplenia
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Individuals with sickle cell anaemia
These groups are at a greater risk of severe disease.
What is the incubation period for HIB?
Probably 2-4 days.
The exact duration is uncertain.
Fill in the blank: The infectious period for HIB is while organisms are present in the nasopharynx and _______ after effective antibiotic treatment.
48-72 hours
What defines an outbreak of HIB?
2 cases within 60 days in a discrete population
This definition helps in identifying clusters of infection.
Is HIB common in Australia?
No - rare due to vaccination.
Most cases in <5yo and Indigenous people. Outbreaks rare.
What is the diagnostic method for confirming a HIB case?
Isolation/detection from sterile site (reference lab)
Blood culture/PCR; CSF if available can provide early indications.
What is the case fatality rate (CFR) for HIB in the pre-vaccination era?
5%
Neurological sequelae were high in untreated cases.
What is the prevention strategy for HIB?
Vaccination via NIPS: 2, 4, 6, and 18 months
Additional doses are recommended for certain high-risk groups.
What is the primordial prevention strategy for HIB?
Reduce household overcrowding and smoking.
Who would be considered contacts for a HIB case?
- HH/HH-like
- Childcare
- Shared hospital room
- HCW - resp secretion exposure
Which groups are vulnerable/high-risk contacts?
- Child <7mo
- Child 7m-5y not fully vaccination
- Immunocompromised
- Asplenic
What should be done for contacts of a HIB case?
- Consult clinician
- Case interview (Sx, vaccination, risk factors)
- Prophylactic antibiotics (rifampicin or ceftriaxone)
Education on symptoms and seeking healthcare is also important.
How should HIB contacts be managed?
- Education - Sx, seek healthcare
- ABx PPx (rifampicin/ceftriaxon) - HH, CC, vulnerable
- Vaccination - unvaccinated contacts
True or False: All contacts of HIB cases need to be excluded from primary school/ECEC until 4 days after starting antibiotics.
False
Only the case needs exclusion, not the contacts.
What are the standard precautions for HIB treatment?
Consult ID, IV antibiotics (cephalosporin), standard and droplet precautions
Precautions remain until 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
What is the role of rifampicin in HIB outbreak management?
Administered to all children and staff in the same room during multiple cases in childcare
It helps in the prophylactic management of contacts.
