Haemophilus influenzae or H. influenzae is a group of bacteria that can cause different types of infections in babies and children.
H. influenzae bacteria live in the upper respiratory tract and are generally transmitted by contact with an infected person through airborne particles expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes can be inhaled by another person and cause an infection. Although the symptoms are very diverse, it can cause a series of conditions with which we must be careful such as the following:
Otitis media or middle ear infection that can develop after the child has a common cold caused by a virus.
Conjunctivitis or Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye , which presents with redness, swelling, suppuration of one or both eyes, burning eyes and photophobia (sensitivity of the eyes to light).
Sinusitis or sinus infection. In young children, there is: runny or stuffy nose for more than 10 to 14 days, and the discharge may become thick and greenish, yellowish or blood-tinged, nighttime cough and occasional daytime cough, swelling around the eyes, and pain from head.
Epiglottitis. Due to the H. influenzae type B vaccine, epiglottitis is very rare in infants and children. This is an infection in the throat area that covers and protects the larynx and trachea during swallowing. It can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Meningitis. Thanks to the vaccine it is very rare in babies and children. It is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.