Haemophilus

Somewhat similar to Neisseria, Haemophilus influenza also requires enriched media such as chocolate agar and capneic incubation. It has a capsule, and resides in the oral cavity and nasopharynx. They can colonize the upper respiratory tract through sneezing.

Meningitis
3rd most common cause of bacterial meningitis, which is deadlier than viral meningitis.

Prior to 1990, this was the #1 cause, because it was very common in children under 1.5 years old and had 90% mortality rate without treatment

Of the survivors, 25-35% chance of having some sort of neurological sequalae (consequence) including mental retardation.

Today, due to vaccination, the primary risk group are the elderly over 65.

Otitis Media
2nd most common cause is Haemophilus. Children can get this after having a cold, and can lead to deafness. Results from blowing the nose wrong.

Acute bacteria epiglotitis
Life-threatening disease in which the epiglottis can swell and cause suffocation for a child within 24 hours.

Pneumonia
Secondary infection after the flu.

Treatment
Ceftriaxone or cefotaxime are used for life threatning cases of meningitis and epiglotitis. For everthing else, there is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, aka Bactrim.

Haemophilus aegyptius
Causes pink eye which is a form of conjunctivitis that is highly contagious. It can be spread through fomites and fingers. The eyelid will swell to the size of a golf ball but will not cause blindness. It is easily treated with tetracycline or a sulfonamide.

Haemophilus ducreyi
An STD that causes chancroids, or soft chancres.

Usually in warm climates, but not that common in USA.

Treatment: ceftriaxone or azithromycin.