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Hepatitis D

 Hepatitis D



Overview

Hepatitis D is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is known as a “satellite virus,” because it can only infect people who are also infected by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV infection can be acute or lead to chronic, long-term illness. The infection can be acquired either simultaneously with HBV as a coinfection or as a superinfection in people who are already chronically infected with HBV.

Hepatitis D, also known as “delta hepatitis,” is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). 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. Hepatitis D can cause severe symptoms and serious illness that can lead to life-long liver damage and even death. People can become infected with both hepatitis B and hepatitis D viruses at the same time (known as “coinfection”) or get hepatitis D after first being infected with the hepatitis B virus (known as “superinfection”). There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis D. However, prevention of hepatitis B with hepatitis B vaccine also protects against future hepatitis D infection.

Symptoms

The signs of HDV can include:

Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)

Stomach upset

Pain in your belly

Throwing up

Fatigue

Not feeling hungry

Joint pain

Dark urine

Light-colored stool.

Causes

People get hepatitis D through contact with the virus in the bodily fluids of infected people. However, a person can only get hepatitis D if they already have hepatitis B, because HDV uses the hepatitis B virus to replicate.

Situations in which a person may come into contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids include:

sharing needles

having unprotected sex

having blood-to-blood contact

during childbirth

using unsterilized medical or drug equipment

People cannot contract the virus from the following activities or types of contact:

coughing or sneezing

sitting next to someone

hugging

shaking or holding hands

sharing eating utensils

It is also not possible to get hepatitis D through food or drink.

People who are more at risk of getting hepatitis D include those who:

have hepatitis B

have not received the hepatitis B vaccine

inject drugs

have unprotected sex with multiple partners

live in a part of the world where hepatitis D is more prevalent

Diagnosis

A doctor will carry out a physical examination and take a full medical history before making a hepatitis D diagnosis. They will take into account any symptoms that people are experiencing and any risk factors that the person has for hepatitis D.

A doctor may look for signs of liver damage, such as swelling in the abdomen or other parts of the body.

A blood test can show whether someone has hepatitis D. A doctor may also carry out tests to check the health of the liver. These tests may include an ultrasound, a biopsy, or both.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for hepatitis D, but treatment can help people manage the condition.

For people with chronic hepatitis D, a doctor will often prescribe a medicine called pegylated interferon-alpha, which reduces the risk of the condition worsening. People will usually take this for at least 48 weeks Trusted Source.

People with hepatitis D may also require treatment for hepatitis B. The treatment for hepatitis B includes antiviral medication and immune modulating drugs. These help the immune system fight off the virus.

If people have chronic hepatitis D that leads to complications, they may need treatment to limit liver damage. In severe cases of liver damage or liver failure, a liver transplant may be necessary.

Complications

Acute hepatitis D infections can damage the liver, and they can sometimes cause acute liver failure, although this is rare.

Chronic hepatitis D infections can cause:

cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver

liver failure

liver cancer

Symptoms of these complications can include:

easily bleeding or bruising

swollen legs or ankles due to water retention

yellowing of the skin or eyes

intense itching

unexplained weight loss

Treatment for complications involves taking antiviral medicine, which works to prevent the virus from further damaging the liver. Avoiding alcohol and maintaining a healthful lifestyle can also help limit the damage.

If chronic hepatitis D causes liver cancer, treatment may include:

radiation therapy to kill cancerous cells

surgery to remove the cancerous part of the liver

immunotherapy to help the immune system fight cancer cells

chemotherapy

liver transplantation

Early diagnosis of liver cancer increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

If people have liver failure, it means that the liver is unable to function properly, and they will need a liver transplant.

Early treatment of hepatitis D and B helps lower the risk of getting complications from the infections.

Outlook

Hepatitis D is a serious viral infection of the liver. Acute hepatitis D can cause liver damage, although it is rare for it to lead to severe conditions. Chronic hepatitis D can lead to complications, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure.

Although there is no cure for hepatitis D, people can take medication to help prevent the condition from getting worse. They may also need treatment for hepatitis B.

A doctor will advise a person with hepatitis D to avoid alcohol and maintain a healthful lifestyle to help support the liver. A healthful lifestyle involves good nutrition and regular exercise.

Regular checkups and symptom monitoring will help a doctor identify complications early on and improve the chances of successful treatment.

People can avoid getting hepatitis D by having the hepatitis B vaccine, as it is only possible for a person to get hepatitis D if they already have hepatitis B.

Type of Doctor Department : A Gastroenterologist


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