Hepatitis D (patient information)

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Hepatitis D

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Hepatitis D?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Hepatitis D On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

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FDA on Hepatitis D

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Hepatitis D in the news

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis D

Risk calculators and risk factors for Hepatitis D

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Also known as "delta hepatitis," is a serious liver disease caused by infection with the Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which is an RNA virus structurally unrelated to the Hepatitis A, B, or C viruses. Hepatitis D, which can be acute or chronic, is uncommon in the United States. HDV is an incomplete virus that requires the helper function of Hepatitis B virus to replicate and only occurs among people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV is transmitted through percutaneous or mucosal contact with infectious blood and can be acquired either as a coinfection with HBV or as superinfection in persons with HBV infection. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis D, but it can be prevented in persons who are not already HBV-infected by Hepatitis B vaccination.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis D?

Hepatitis D may make the symptoms of hepatitis B more severe. Symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Exams and Tests

  • Anti-delta agent antibody
  • Liver biopsy
  • Liver enzymes (blood test)

What causes Hepatitis D?

Hepatitis D or delta hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a defective RNA virus. HDV requires the help of a virus like the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its own replication. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make a recent (acute) hepatitis B infection or an existing long-term (chronic) hepatitis B liver disease worse. It can even cause symptoms in people who carry hepatitis B virus but who never had symptoms. Hepatitis D occurs in 5% of people who carry hepatitis B.

Risk factors include:

  • Using intravenous (IV) or injection drugs
  • Being infected while pregnant (the mother can pass the virus to the baby)
  • Carrying the hepatitis B virus
  • Men having sexual intercourse with other men
  • Receiving many blood transfusions

Transmission

HDV is transmitted percutaneously or sexually through contact with infected blood or blood products.

Blood is potentially infectious during all phases of active hepatitis D infection. Peak infectivity probably occurs just before the onset of acute disease.

Who is at highest risk?

Risk factors include-

  • Abusing intravenous (IV) or injection drugs
  • Being infected while pregnant (the mother can pass the virus to the baby)
  • Carrying the hepatitis B virus
  • Men having sexual intercourse with other men
  • Receiving many blood transfusions

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatitis B.

Diagnosis

  • Anti-delta agent antibody
  • Liver biopsy
  • Liver enzymes (blood test)

Treatment options

Many of the medicines used to treat hepatitis B are not helpful for treating hepatitis D. See hepatitis B. Persons with long-term HDV infection may receive a medicine called alpha interferon for up to 12 months. A liver transplant for end-stage chronic hepatitis B may be effective.

Where to find medical care for Hepatitis D?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis D

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Persons with an acute HDV infection usually get better over 2 to 3 weeks. Liver enzyme levels return to normal within 16 weeks. About 10% of those who are infected may develop long-term (chronic) liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Possible complications

  • Chronic active hepatitis
  • Fulminant hepatitis

Prevention

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B infection can help prevent hepatitis D. Avoid intravenous drug abuse. If you use IV drugs, avoid sharing needles. A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. Adults who are at high risk for hepatitis B infection, and all children should consider getting this vaccine.

Alternative Names

Hepatitis D virus

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000216.htm Template:WSTemplate:WH