Haemophilus influenzae Disease (Including Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae (including Hib) is a bacterium that can cause a severe infection, occurring mostly in infants and children younger than five years of age. It can cause lifelong disability and be deadly. In spite of its name, Haemophilus influenzae bacteria do not cause influenza (the "flu").

There are six identifiable types of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria (a through f) and other non-identifiable types (called nontypeable). The one most people are familiar with is Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib. There's a vaccine that can prevent disease caused by Hib, but not the other types of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.

Haemophilus influenzae Disease (Including Hib) Topics

About Haemophilus influenzae Disease

Types of Haemophilus influenzae infection, signs & symptoms, transmission, photos of Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib), complications, treatment...

Surveillance

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease is tracked by two surveillance systems...

Vaccination

General information about the Hib vaccine, what you need to know about the Hib vaccine, vaccination coverage...

For Laboratorians

Overview of CDC Meningitis Laboratory, which is responsible for Haemophilus influenzae bacteria...

Publications & Multimedia

Chapters and articles about epidemiology, vaccines, surveillance, outbreaks and lab research for Haemophilus influenzae bacteria...

Signs & Symptoms

The most common severe types of Haemophilus influenzae disease are:

Pneumonia (lung infection),
Bacteremia (bloodstream infection), and
Meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord).

Hib bacteria can cause severe diseases like meningitis, but Hib disease is vaccine-preventable. Your child should get the full series of Hib shots as an infant plus one booster shot at 12 through 15 months of age.

Haemophilus influenzae bacteria, including Hib, are spread person-to-person by direct contact or through respiratory droplets like coughing and sneezing.

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Hib Information Sheets

Basic fact sheet about Hib disease and vaccine.
- English [401 KB, 2 pages]
- Spanish [200 KB, 2 pages
In-depth fact sheet [381 KB, 2 pages] about Hib disease and vaccine, including a personal story.