How can I tell if my child has Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis?
Early Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis may indeed look similar to a “bad cold”. A parent should watch for changes that suggest the illness is becoming more severe than what the child has typically experienced in the past. A fever that can’t be controlled, abnormal and unusual changes in the child’s behavior, symptoms the child has never had before – all should prompt an immediate call to the child’s physician or a visit to a hospital emergency department. A very ill child should be watched closely, as changes can happen quickly. Parents should never hesitate to call their child’s physician if they are uncomfortable about their child’s condition. How is Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis diagnosed? Haemophilus influenzae type B infection can be diagnosed by examination of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid which surrounds the brain) and/or the blood. Can Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis be treated? Yes, Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis can be successfu