infections
Haemophilus influenzae Infections
Introduction
 are Overview of Gram-Negative Bacteria that can cause infection in the respiratory tract, which can spread to other organs. Infection is spread through sneezing, coughing, or touching. The bacteria can cause middle ear infections, sinusitis, and more serious infections, including meningitis and epiglottitis, as well as respiratory infections. Identifying the bacteria in a sample taken from blood or from infected tissue confirms the diagnosis. Children are routinely given a vaccine that effectively prevents infections due toHaemophilus influenzaetype b. Infections are treated with antibiotics given by mouth or, for serious infections, intravenously. (See also Overview of Bacteria .) normally reside in the upper airways of children and adults and rarely cause disease. One species causes Chancroid , a sexually transmitted disease. Other species cause infections of heart valves ( Haemophilus influenzaecan cause infections in children and sometimes in adults. Risk of getting aHaemophilus influenzaeinfection is increased in the following: Children (particularly boys) Black people Native Americans People who attend or work at a day care center People who live in overcrowded conditions People with an Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders , no Infection is spread by sneezing, coughing, or touching infected people. One type ofHaemophilus influenzae, called type b, is more likely to cause serious infections. type b (Hib) can spread through the bloodstream (causing Bacteremia ) and infect the joints, bones, lungs, skin of the face and neck, eyes, urinary tract, and other organs. The bacteria may cause two severe, often fatal infections: Acute Bacterial Meningitis None Epiglottitis (infection of the flap of tissue over the voice box) Some strains cause infection of the middle ear in children, the sinuses in children and adults, and the lungs in adults, especially those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (COPD) or Symptoms vary depending on the part of the body affected. 