Haemophilus influenzae

Type b:

- Prophylaxis recommended for:

• Household and non-household contacts:
  • all contacts regardless of age or immunization status who have had contact or reside with at least one unimmunized or incompletely immunized contact younger than 48 months of age
  • all contacts of a fully immunized but immunocompromised child, regardless of age
  • all contacts of an unimmunized or incompletely immunized child younger than 12 months of age
  • give prophylaxis to all contacts except pregnant women
• Child care facility or nursery school contacts if ≥ 2 cases within 60 days in facility and incompletely vaccinated children attend
  • give prophylaxis to children and personnel (except if pregnant)
• Index case if any of above scenarios AND treated with ampicillin or chloramphenicol; not needed if index case treated with cefotaxime/ceftriaxone.

- Unimmunized or incompletely immunized children should also receive a dose of vaccine and be scheduled for completion of the recommended age-specific immunization schedule.

Prophylaxis should be offered to persons who had contact with the case in the 7 days preceding the onset of illness or hospitalization of the index case. Prophylaxis can be considered for up to 10 days after last contact with an untreated case.

Non type b:

NB: The need for prophylaxis of index cases of invasive non type b Haemophilus disease and their contacts has not been established but may be prudent. It is the opinion of the authors that at least the index case should receive rifampin prophylaxis.

Recommended Prophylaxis