infectious diseases
Haemophilus Infections
Treatment ofHaemophilusInfections
Various antibiotics depending on site and severity of infection infections depends on nature and location of the infection, but, for invasive disease, beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors, fluoroquinolones, and 2nd- and 3rd-generation cephalosporins are used. The Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine has markedly reduced the rate of bacteremia. Children with serious illness are hospitalized with contact and respiratory isolation for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Antibiotic choices depend strongly on the site of infection and require susceptibility testing; many isolates in the US produce beta-lactamase (eg, > 50% are resistant toampicillin). For invasive illness, including meningitis,cefotaximeorceftriaxoneis recommended. For less serious infections, oral cephalosporins (except for 1st-generation cephalosporins such ascephalexin),azithromycinor other macrolides,amoxicillin/clavulanate,omadacycline, andlefamulinare generally effective. (See individual disease entries for specific recommendations.) Cefotaximeandceftriaxoneeliminate respiratory carriage ofH. influenzae, but other antibiotics used for systemic infection do not do so reliably. Thus, children with systemic infection who were not treated withcefotaximeorceftriaxoneshould be givenrifampinimmediately after completing treatment and before resuming contact with other children. 