Signs and Symptoms

Haemophilus influenzae can cause many different kinds of infections. Symptoms depend on the part of the body that is infected.

Pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia usually include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sweating
  • Chest pain
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain or aches
  • Excessive tiredness

Bloodstream infection

Symptoms of bloodstream infection usually include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Excessive tiredness
  • Pain in the belly
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anxiety
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Altered mental status (confusion)

A bloodstream infection from H. influenzae can occur with or without pneumonia.

Meningitis

Symptoms of meningitis typically include sudden onset of:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
  • Altered mental status (confusion)

Babies with meningitis may:

  • Be irritable
  • Vomit
  • Feed poorly
  • Appear to be slow or inactive
  • Have abnormal reflexes