What disease does Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) often cause?

• A. Bronchitis
• B. Measles
• C. Meningitis and pneumonia
• D. Chickenpox

Answer: (C)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is primarily known for causing serious bacterial infections, particularly in children. One of the most significant diseases associated with Hib is meningitis, which is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This condition can lead to severe complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, and even death if not treated promptly.

In addition to meningitis, Hib can also cause pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs that can lead to difficulty breathing and other serious health issues. The introduction of the Hib vaccine has greatly reduced the incidence of these infections, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing these serious diseases associated with Haemophilus influenzae type b.

The other options, such as bronchitis, measles, and chickenpox, are caused by different pathogens and are not primarily associated with Hib. Bronchitis is typically related to viral infections or smoking, measles is caused by the measles virus, and chickenpox is the result of varicella-zoster virus infection.