Hepatitis D is an inflammation of the liver caused by HDV, which requires HBV for its replication. Hepatitis D infection cannot occur in the absence of the hepatitis B virus. HDV-HBV co-infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to more rapid progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death.
Causes
Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus. It is spread when blood or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. It can be an acute, short-term infection or become a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis D may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. People who have chronic hepatitis B and D are more likely to develop these complications than people who have chronic hepatitis B alone.
It is most common in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, West and Central Africa, East Asia, and the Amazon Basin in South America. (Source)
The routes of HDV transmission, like HBV, occur through injection, tattooing, or through contact with infected blood or blood products. Transmission from mother to child is possible. Vaccination against HBV prevents HDV coinfection. Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis D is spread when blood or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Hepatitis D can be an acute, short-term infection or become a long-term, chronic infection.
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Symptoms
In acute hepatitis, simultaneous infection with HBV and HDV can lead to mild-to-severe hepatitis with signs and symptoms that cannot be determined from those of other types of acute viral hepatitis infections.
The symptoms typically appear 3–7 weeks after the initial infection and include
- Fever,
- Fatigue
- loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dark urine
- Pale-colored stools
- Jaundice
- Fulminant hepatitis
Facts
It only occurs in people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus. It is spread when blood or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Hepatitis D can be an acute, short-term infection or become a long-term, chronic infection. Hepatitis B affects approximately 296 million people, including over 6 million children under the age of 5. Hepatitis B contributes to an estimated 820,000 deaths every year.
25% of chronic hepatitis B infections progress to liver cancer.
Risk Factors
Following are the risk factors of Hepatitis D.
- Injection drug users.
- Persons with hemophilia.
- Infants/children of immigrants from areas with high rates of HBV infection.
- Household contacts of chronically infected persons.
- Persons with multiple sex partners or diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease.
- Men who have sex with men.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis, however, vaccination is available for people. Starting from newborns. Some antiviral medications are given to the patient. Vaccination against hepatitis B is the only method to prevent HDV infection.
Prevention
Hepatitis D can be prevented by taking the following measures:
- Hepatitis B vaccination will prevent infection with hepatitis D. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for infants and those at a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection and/or at higher risk of severe infection.
- Any open sores, cuts, or abrasions should be covered with waterproof dressings
- Practice safer sex – use condoms consistently and correctly.
- Injecting drug users should never share injecting equipment.
