Haemophilus influenzae Epiglottitis: A Rare Disease Not to Be Forgotten

Although pediatric epiglottitis has become rare following the widespread use of the <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i> type b (Hib) vaccine, breakthrough infections still occur, whilst other <i>H. influenzae</i> serotypes continue to emerge. We present the case of a 10-year-old child, fully immunized against Hib, who developed epiglottitis. Blood cultures confirmed <i>H. influenzae </i>infection, and further microbiological characterization identified a non-typable strain. This case highlights the growing clinical relevance of <i>H. influenzae</i> strains not covered by the Hib vaccine and reinforces the need to maintain a high index of suspicion for epiglottitis as a cause of upper airway obstruction, even in fully immunized children, requiring early recognition and prompt management. Continuous monitoring is crucial for assessing how vaccination influences the epidemiological patterns of invasive <i>H. influenza</i>e disease.