Haemophilus influenzae Infection

H. influenzae is normal upper-respiratory flora once mistakenly thought to cause influenza. It actually causes a wide range of disease: respiratory disease, meningitis, septicemia, conjunctivitis, female genital infection, cellulitis—common in infants and adults alike.

Common Symptoms

Meningitis; bacteremia; trauma; station doctor; sore throat; mastoiditis; HIV infection; empyema; epiglottitis; abscess

Causes and Pathogenesis

Bacteria enter via skin/mucosal portals, multiply in blood, and disseminate—often severe. Catheters/surgical stomas commonly cause bacteremia, followed by acute metastatic multiorgan infection. Endotoxin is a key virulence factor (kills experimental animals). Encapsulated strains (especially type b) cause primary infection; non-encapsulated strains cause secondary infection following influenza, measles, pertussis, or bronchitis. Anti-capsular antibodies confer protective immunity after infection.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Treat carriers fully; mass carrier control and respiratory isolation are difficult. The main preventive measure is active vaccination.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.