Haemophilus influenzae type b
Hib bacteria can live in the nose and throat of healthy people, and usually don't cause any symptoms.
The bacteria are usually spread in a similar way to cold and flu viruses, through infected droplets of fluid in coughs and sneezes.
The bacteria can be spread by healthy people who carry the bacteria, as well as those who are ill with a Hib infection.
Inhaling the infected droplets or transferring them into your mouth from a contaminated surface can allow the bacteria to spread further into your body, causing one of the infections mentioned above.
Find out about haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a bacterium that can cause a number of serious illnesses, particularly in young children.
Hib bacteria can cause several serious infections, including: meningitis infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord Septicaemia blood poisoning pneumonia infection of the lungs p
Hib bacteria can live in the nose and throat of healthy people, and usually don't cause any symptoms. The bacteria are usually spread in a similar way to cold and flu viruses, through infected drop
Vaccinating children against Hib has been very effective in cutting rates of Hib infections. From more than 800 confirmed cases a year in England in the early 1990s, the number of Hib infections has