Haemophilus influenzae infection medical therapy

Haemophilus influenzae infection Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Pneumonia Bacteremia Meningitis Epiglottitis Cellulitis arthritis Otitis media Conjunctivitis
Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Medical Therapy

Specific parenteral antibiotic treatment is necessary for invasive Hib disease, and immediate airway stabilization is necessary for epiglottitis. Antibiotic prophylaxis with rifampin is indicated for all household contacts in the following circumstances: households with a contact aged 4 years or younger who is unimmunized or underimmunized, households with a child aged younger than 12 months who has not received the primary series, and households with an immunocompromised child. Chemoprophylaxis is not recommended for pregnant women or for child care contacts with a single index case, but the children’s vaccination history should be reviewed to ensure completion of the recommended schedule of Hib conjugate vaccine. A 4-day course of rifampin eradicates Hib carriage from the pharynx in approximately 95% of carriers.