Counterpoint: The red book opts for red urine

The Committee on Infectious Diseases of the Academy of Pediatrics has put forth recommendations for dealing with the contagiousness of Haemophilus influenzae infections.¹This committee is appropriately concerned with formulating pragmatic recommendations for practicing pediatricians based on the best knowledge available. Published observations^2,3and two recently abstracted studies^4,5suggest that 20 mg rifampin per kg per dose (600 mg per kg per dose maximum) given once daily for 4 days effectively.eradicates H. influenzae oropharyngeal carriage in adults and young children. If rifampin effectively reduces secondary disease then administration to exposed contacts would be appropriate, especially when other susceptible children are among the household contacts. However, we have several concerns about the practicality of the recommendations of this committee.