Household Spread of Infection Due to Haemophilus influenzae Type b

Abstract

Instances of spread of infection due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in families and in day care centers have demonstrated the potential communicability of this organism among young children in close contact.1 There have been several recent studies to determine the risk of secondary illness in households of patients with H influenzae type b meningitis,2-5 including a large national survey.3 The first of these reports found an attack rate of 4.9% for children 2 years of age or younger.2 Our study was initiated soon after this study to find out whether a survey of a different population would yield similar results. The unique feature of our study was the inclusion of families of children with epiglottitis.