Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium, and "H. influenzae disease" is not one illness but many: the symptoms depend on which part of the body the bacteria infect, and they usually resemble those of any other bacterial infection in that same place. Mild infections rarely lead to complications. Serious ones can cause lasting harm or death — so if you suspect a serious H. influenzae infection in yourself or your child, get medical care right away.
How soon symptoms start
Nobody knows the exact time between the bacteria entering the body and the first symptoms. It may be as short as a few days.
Symptoms, by where the infection is
| Infection | Usual symptoms |
|---|---|
| Pneumonia (a lung infection) | fever, chills or sweating; cough; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; chest pain; headache; muscle pain or aches; excessive tiredness |
| Bloodstream infection — alone, or alongside another infection such as pneumonia or meningitis | fever, chills or sweating; excessive tiredness; belly pain; diarrhea or nausea, with or without vomiting; anxiety; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; confusion (altered mental status) |
| Meningitis | a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea with or without vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia) and confusion |
| Ear infection | ear pain; a red, swollen eardrum; fever; sleepiness |
| Bronchitis (inflamed or swollen airways leading to the lungs) | cough, with or without mucus; chest soreness; excessive tiredness; mild headache; mild body aches; sore throat |
Meningitis in babies
A baby with meningitis may:
- be irritable
- vomit
- feed poorly
- seem slow or inactive
- have abnormal reflexes
When it turns serious
A serious H. influenzae infection can lead to:
- Sepsis — the body's extreme response to an infection, which is a life-threatening emergency
- Long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss after meningitis, or loss of limbs after a bloodstream infection
- Death
By contrast, complications of mild infections like ear infections and bronchitis are rare and usually not severe.
What to do
If you think you or your child might have a serious H. influenzae infection, see a healthcare provider right away. CDC also has pages on meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis.
Sources
Based on "Haemophilus influenzae Disease Symptoms and Complications," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock photograph on the original page is left out.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
1
0
0
0
Comments
