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Meningitis - H. influenza    See images

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Alternative names:

H. influenza meningitis; H. flu meningitis

Definition:

An infection caused by H. influenza bacteria, which involves inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Causes and Risks

Haemophilus influenza meningitis is caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenza (not to be confused with the disease influenza, a respiratory illness caused by a different virus). Prior to the availability of the Hib immunization Haemophilus influenza was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age. It occurs most frequently in children from 1 month up to 4 years with a peak at 6 to 9 months. Routine Hib immunization has resulted in a marked decrease in the incidence of H. influenza meningitis. H. flu meningitis may follow an upper respiratory infection and develop slowly or its onset may be rapid. The infection spreads usually from somewhere in the respiratory tract to the blood stream and the to the meninges (the membranes that cover the brain). At the meninges the bacteria produce infection and inflammation which can have profound and even deadly results.

Haemophilus influenza now occurs in less than 2 in 100,000 children since the introduction of the vaccine.

Risk factors include a recent history of otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis or other upper respiratory infection, or a history of a family members with an H. influenza infection. Another significant risk factor includes race -- American Indians and Eskimos have a rate over 3 times that of the general population. Placement in day-care also increases the risk.

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