Haemophilus influenzae is a gram-negative, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacterium that is considered pleomorphic. There are six different identifiable strains of Haemophilus influenzae (type a-f). Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the most common strain and is responsible for the most cases of serious infection (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010).
Haemophilus influenzae type b is transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. Generally, the bacteria will be transmitted from a person who is asymptomatic and is harboring the bacteria in their nose and throat. Illness will occur when the bacteria enters the blood stream and spreads throughout the body (CDC, 2010). …show more content…
These illnesses include Hodgkin’s disease, sickle-cell disease, asplenia, HIV infection, agammaglobulinemia, chronic renal failure, multiple myeloma, and compliment deficiencies. Additional risk factors include cigarette smoke exposure, attending daycare, large households, having a low socioeconomic status, and people that are receiving chemotherapy (Rathore, 2015).
The following quote is a great example of illnesses that may put an individual at an increased risk for developing invasive Hib disease. “We have found a lack of protective immunity against Hib in adults suffering from multiple myeloma and chronic renal failure patients. Such individuals may be at risk of developing invasive Hib disease if exposed to the pathogen.” (Nix, 2012, p 769-770)
Two of the major conditions that are caused by Hib are bacterial meningitis and epiglottitis. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Epiglottitis is the inflammation of the flap at the back of the tongue that prevents food from entering the trachea. Both conditions are very serious and can be fatal if they are not identified
Haemophilus influenzae type b is transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions. Generally, the bacteria will be transmitted from a person who is asymptomatic and is harboring the bacteria in their nose and throat. Illness will occur when the bacteria enters the blood stream and spreads throughout the body (CDC, 2010). …show more content…
These illnesses include Hodgkin’s disease, sickle-cell disease, asplenia, HIV infection, agammaglobulinemia, chronic renal failure, multiple myeloma, and compliment deficiencies. Additional risk factors include cigarette smoke exposure, attending daycare, large households, having a low socioeconomic status, and people that are receiving chemotherapy (Rathore, 2015).
The following quote is a great example of illnesses that may put an individual at an increased risk for developing invasive Hib disease. “We have found a lack of protective immunity against Hib in adults suffering from multiple myeloma and chronic renal failure patients. Such individuals may be at risk of developing invasive Hib disease if exposed to the pathogen.” (Nix, 2012, p 769-770)
Two of the major conditions that are caused by Hib are bacterial meningitis and epiglottitis. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Epiglottitis is the inflammation of the flap at the back of the tongue that prevents food from entering the trachea. Both conditions are very serious and can be fatal if they are not identified