Nikki Sommer, a nurse with Key West Surgical Group, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM yesterday morning for Medical Matters.
Haemophilus influenza is not actually the flu.
Sommer said, “It’s a bacteria, while the flu is a virus. It is a typeable strain, which, what that means is has a protective capsule, and a non typeable strain, meaning that it’s it doesn’t have a capsule. So the one that has a capsule, the typeable strain that can cause more of the serious complications, I guess you could say, of HIB. Then non typable strain without a capsule that more often causes ear infections, sinusitis and pneumonia”
It spreads through respiratory droplets like coughing, sneezing, and close contact.
Sommer said, “It is not something that lingers in the environment. Most sources place it around two to four days. The incubation period is short, and it’s sometimes described within a few days of exposure. So if someone is exposed, illness typically develops rather quickly.”
Who is at higher risk for HIB?
Sommer said, “It’s a direct person to person contact. So guess who’s at higher risk? Children under the age of five. Remember, I say this all the time, and that was my nursing instructor, who was ancient when she taught me, but she said illness usually affects the very young and the very old. So children under the age of five, infancy to five years of age, and then seniors over the age of 65, people with chronic lung disease, such as COPD and asthma, those with weakened immune systems. Those can be anybody that have autoimmune diseases, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Somebody without a spleen. It’s very interesting what the spleen does and what happens when you don’t have one. You can live without it, but you are more susceptible to certain viruses and bacteria, and this is one of them. People who have trouble or people who aspirate saliva or food while sleeping, or people who have probably trouble swallowing, somebody that has a condition, they are more susceptible to this type of infection. So the high these high risk groups can go from feeling like it’s just a cold to a more serious illness easily.
What are some of the symptoms?
Sommer said, “Pneumonia is a complication, so if you have fever, chills, shortness of breath, coughing up a lot of phlegm and chest discomfort, ear, sinus infections, ear pain, congestion and sinus pressure, the less common, but more serious, and this is really for children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 65, meningitis. So this is a severe complication. So headache, stiff neck and confusion. When you have a child, this is hard to diagnose, especially if they are under the age of five, epiglottitis, severe sore throat, drooling and difficulty bleeding, bleeding and then sepsis, which is a bloodstream infection that usually causes high fever, rapid breathing and weakness. So any of those symptoms, if you have any type of difficulty breathing, children will get lethargic, and sometimes you will think they’re sleeping, but they’re breathing really rapidly. You need to go to the emergency room.”
How is HIB diagnosed?
Sommer said, “Nose and throat cultures, chest X ray, blood cultures. It really is going to depend upon your physical exam, and if meningitis is suspected, they will do a lumbar puncture, which is very uncomfortable.”
What is treatment like?
Sommer said, “It is a bacteria, not a virus, even though influenza is in there, it’s not the flu, the flu is a virus. So that’s different. The treatment depends on the severity. Antibiotics is a definite. Steroids is sometimes given in cases where there is meningitis diagnosed. Oxygen therapy, if there’s any respiratory distress, IV fluids and hospitalization in severe cases.”
How can you prevent HIB?
Sommer said, “Like I said, in medicine, we really don’t have a cure. We have treatment and we have prevention. So while not everybody is on board with vaccination, and it’s your choice, that’s why we’re educating you, but the HIB vaccine does prevent against most of the severe type, meaning the meningitis and the severe respiratory distress, and again, those children under the age of five and seniors and people with autoimmune disease over the age of 65, they’re at high risk. The daily habits, washing your hands is the best defense to stop spreading germs. If you have a cough, cover your mouth. If you know somebody’s immune compromised, don’t go near them if you don’t feel well, that’s really the best thing to do, is by protecting others, is not being around others that can’t protect themselves. Don’t share drinks or utensils. Stay home when you’re sick and make sure if you have chronic conditions like COPD, you are doing what you need to do to protect yourself. For any type of they call them exacerbations, you take your medicine and you see your doctor regularly.”
Preschool children can pass this easily.
Sommer said, “They don’t know how to cover their mouth and they share toys and put things in their mouths. Haemophilus Influenza spreads through close contact, short incubation period, two to four days. Doesn’t survive long in the air, and can be prevented and treated when caught early. One more time, I’ll say it. I’s not a debate to vaccinate. I’m just here to educate and protect yourself as needed.”
For more information on Key West Surgical Group, click here: https://www.keywestsurgicalgroup.com/