Pathogens
Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae

Precautions

Standard Precautions

General Information

Small Gram-negative bacillus, encapsulated or not (non=non-typeable)

Normal respiratory flora.

Invasive disease has sharply declined since Hib conjugate vaccine widely used.

Most invasive disease is now caused by non-typable strains.

Colonizer of the upper respiratory tract

May cause invasive disease including:

  • Meningitis
  • Pneumonia/empyema
  • Bacteremia
  • Epiglottitis
  • MSK infection

Droplet precautions if presentation is epiglottitis.

Invasive disease is notifiable - call Public Health ASAP.