Haemophilus b polysaccharide injection is an immunizing medication used to protect against infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (also known as Hib) bacteria. The injection works by making the body produce more of its protection in the form of antibodies to help fight the disease.
The following subsequent advice is relevant only to the Haemophilus b polysaccharide injection.
Infection by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria may cause incredibly serious or lethal illnesses; diseases like meningitis, which attacks the brain; epiglottitis, which may result in death by suffocation due to inflammation or swelling of the epiglottis; pericarditis, which greatly affects the pericardium surrounding the heart; pneumonia, which affects the alveoli inside the lungs; and septic arthritis, which can severely affect both the bones and the joints. Meningitis caused by Hib bacteria results in death in 5 - 10% of children who are infected. Additionally, roughly 30% of all children who have survived through Hib meningitis live on with some kind of permanent damage that can be regarded as serious; this includes deafness, mental retardation, partial blindness and in some cases, epilepsy.
Inoculation against Hib is highly recommended for all children from 24 months and up to 5 years of age. Additionally, inoculation is recommended for children between the ages of 18 up to 24 months of age, especially if:
It is highly recommended that children should get a second injection when they are between the ages of 18 to 24 months as children between these ages may not naturally produce a suitable amount of antibodies to protect them fully from Hib disease. All children first immunized at the age 24 months or older will not need a second injection.
This injection is only available from your health care professional.
Generally, using a Hib injection in children or people older than 59 months is not advised. The majority of older children are usually immune to Hib, however, occasionally older children and even adults can have a heightened risk of contracting invasive Hib disease and can be inoculated if they did not receive this in earlier childhood. The increased risk is seen in those who suffer from anatomic asplenia, like sickle cell disease, immunodeficiencies, but most particularly in people with an IgG2 subclass deficiency, those infected with HIV, early component complement deficiency, and those receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.Patients who are undergoing an elective splenectomy should also receive a single dose of the Hib injection if previously unimmunized.
Along with the intended effects, a medication can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. And though you may not experience all or any of these side effects, if they are to occur they could warrant medical attention.
It is important to make contact with your health care professional urgently if any of these side effects develop:
It is important to make contact with your health care professional immediately if any of these rare side effects develop:
Some additional side effects could occur that in most cases do not require medical attention. These side effects should disappear during your treatment when your body naturally begins to adjust to the medication. Your health care professional will be able to inform you of the ways in which you can prevent or help to reduce some of the side effects. You should contact your health care professional if any of these side effects continue for more than a few days or are particularly distressing or if you have further questions regarding them:
Less common side effects include-
Some other side effects that are not listed above can also occur in some patients. If you become aware of any other side effects, check with your health care professional.
Please contact your health care professional if you are in need of further medical advice about side effects.
The dose of this medication will differ between patients. You should aim to follow your health care professional's advice or any directions on the label. The following advice is provided to include only average dosages of this medication. If your prescribed dosage is not the same, you should not alter it unless your health care professional specifically advises you to do this.
The exact dosage of medication that you will be prescribed will depend on the strength of the medication.
For use in the medications injection dosage form:
For the prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b:
Adults and children 5 years and over—The use of this medication is not recommended and should be avoided unless otherwise advised by a health care professional.
Children up to the age of 18 months old — The use of this medication is not recommended and should be avoided unless otherwise advised by a health care professional.
Children between 18 and 24 months old—The usage and dosage must be allocated by your health care professional.
Children between 24 months to 5 years old —A single dose which is injected under the child's skin or directly into a muscle. A second dose will not be required.
Although certain medications should not be used in conjunction with each other at all, in some cases, two different medications can be used simultaneously even if an interaction could occur. In these cases, your health care provider may want to alter your dose, or other precautions may be taken if necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medication.
Receiving this injection with the following medication is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases:
Use of some medications should be avoided at or around the time of eating food or eating particular kinds of food since interactions could occur. The consumption of alcohol or use of tobacco with certain medications could also cause occurrence of unwanted interactions. Discuss these issues with your healthcare professional regarding the use of your medication with food, tobacco and alcohol.
The presence of other medical issues could affect the use of this medication. Make sure you tell your health care provider if you have any other medical problems, but especially:
It is important to inform your health care professional if your child experiences any unusual or allergic reactions to this medication or any other medications.
This injection is not recommended for use in children aged younger than 18 months.
Hib injection should be stored at a cold temperature between 35°F and 46°F
The manufacturer package inserts will contain additional information which should be studied carefully.
Haemophilus b polysaccharide injection is an immunizing agent used to protect against infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (also known as Hib) bacteria. The injection works by making the body produce more of its own protection in the form of antibodies to help fight the disease.
Infection by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria may cause incredibly serious or lethal illnesses; diseases like meningitis, which attacks the brain; epiglottitis, which may result in death by suffocation due to inflammation or swelling of the epiglottis; pericarditis, which greatly affects the pericardium surrounding the heart; pneumonia, which affects the alveoli inside the lungs; and septic arthritis, which can severely affect both the bones and the joints.
Along with the intended effects, a medication can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. And though you may not experience all or any of these side effects, if they are to occur they could warrant medical attention.
It is important to inform your health care professional if your child experiences any unusual or allergic reactions to this medication or any other medications.
Use of some medications should be avoided at or around the time of eating food or eating particular kinds of food since interactions could occur. The consumption of alcohol or use of tobacco with certain medications could also cause occurrence of unwanted interactions. Discuss these issues with your healthcare professional regarding the use of your medication with food, tobacco and alcohol.
This injection is not recommended for use in children aged younger than 18 months.