1 Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0010
In Reply.
I agree with Dr Barton's warning to avoid "complacency regarding the lack of communicability of H influenzae type b in acute care settings" and to continue to be alert to the remote possibility that intrahospital transmission of H influenzae type b disease may occur. However, in the meantime, policy decisions on the duration of isolation precautions for patients with H influenzae type b infections need to be made. Based on my data1 and on the fact that only one possible case of nosocomial transmission has been reported in an acute care hospital, 2 I think the current recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics remains appropriate.