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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffImmunization with the Hib vaccine is an effective way to prevent epiglottitis in children younger than age 5. In the United States, children usually receive the vaccine in four doses:
- At ages 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months
- At 12 to 15 months
The Hib vaccine is generally not given to children older than age 5 or to adults because they're less likely to develop Hib infection. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for older children and adults whose immune systems have been weakened by:
- Sickle cell disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Spleen removal
- Chemotherapy
- Medications to prevent rejection of organ or bone marrow transplants
Vaccine side effects
The most common side effects of the Hib vaccine include redness, warmth or swelling at the injection site, and a fever. Rarely, a serious allergic reaction may cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, a rapid heartbeat or dizziness within minutes or a few hours after the shot. If you have an allergic reaction to the vaccine, seek medical help immediately.
Common-sense precautions
Of course, the Hib vaccine doesn't offer guarantees. Immunized children have been known to develop epiglottitis - and other germs can cause epiglottitis, too. That's where common-sense precautions come in:
- Don't share personal items.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren't available.
