b型流行性嗜血桿菌 Hemophilus influenzae type b (劉姿伶藥師 整理)

流行性嗜血桿菌(Hemophilus influenzae；Hi)是一群只有在含有血或血製品之營養條件下才能生長的細菌。其中以b型流行性嗜血桿菌(Hemophilus influenzae type b；Hib）最容易引起侵襲性疾病。b型流行性嗜血桿菌又稱為b型流行性感冒嗜血桿菌，也因如此，其疫苗常常被誤解是流感疫苗。

Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB) by WHO

Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB)

Fact sheet N°294
December 2005

Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, is a bacterium estimated to be responsible for some three million serious illnesses and an estimated 386 000 deaths per year, chiefly through meningitis and pneumonia. Almost all victims are children under the age of five, with those between four and 18 months of age especially vulnerable.
In developing countries, where the vast majority of Hib deaths occur, pneumonia accounts for a larger number of deaths than meningitis. However, Hib meningitis is also a serious problem in such countries with mortality rates several times higher than seen in developed countries; it leaves 15 to 35% of survivors with permanent disabilities such as mental retardation or deafness. Contrary to what the name Haemophilus influenzae suggests, the bacterium does not cause influenza.