What
is hepatitis D (HDV)?
Hepatitis D (HDV) is a viral infection of the liver that can
only be acquired if a person has hepatitis B (HBV).
How
common is hepatitis D?
Hepatitis D is directly linked to hepatitis B, particularly
to chronic (long lasting) hepatitis B. There are particular pockets
worldwide where chronic hepatitis B infection is high,
but hepatitis D infection is low or uncommon, such as Southeast
Asia and China.
How
can I get hepatitis D?
- Hepatitis D can
only infect people who have hepatitis B.
- Sexual transmission
of hepatitis D is less efficient (less likely) than it is with
hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis D is passed
most often through sharing IV drug needles with an infected
person.
- People receiving
clotting factor concentrates may also be at a higher risk.
- Transmission of
hepatitis D from mother to child during birth is rare.
What
are the signs or symptoms of hepatitis D?
- Many persons with
both hepatitis B and hepatitis D may not develop symptoms. When
present, though, symptoms are similar to those of hepatitis B:
- Malaise (feeling
of ill-health)
- Fatigue (feeling
tired all the time)
- Anorexia (loss of
appetite)
- Nausea (feeling
like vomiting)
- Abdominal discomfort
(stomach pain)
- Dark-colored urine
- Jaundice (yellow
skin and eyes)
- Rash or arthritis
People with both hepatitis
B and hepatitis D are more likely to have sudden, severe symptoms.
Those who are infected with both viruses are more likely to develop
serious complications associated with liver disease. People infected
with both viruses may also become chronically infected and may
be contagious from time to time or for the rest of their lives.
How
can I find out if I have hepatitis D?
Your health care provider can test for hepatitis D with a
blood test.
What
can I do to reduce my risk of getting hepatitis D?
- Get vaccinated against
hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine also protects against hepatitis
D since you must have hepatitis B in order to get D.
- If you choose to
inject drugs and cannot stop, avoid sharing your works--needles,
syringes, cotton, water, spoons, pots (cookers) -- or any other
drug “paraphernalia” (i.e. equipment). If you choose
to share your works, clean them with water and bleach to reduce
your risk of getting hepatitis D, filling syringes for at least
30 seconds.
- Use latex condoms
every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Even though hepatitis
D is not commonly transmitted through sex, hepatitis B is, and
having hepatitis B makes it possible to get D.
What
is the treatment for hepatitis D?
- Most people with
acute viral hepatitis experience what’s called “self-limited
illness” (one that runs a defined, limited timeframe)
and go on to recover completely. There is no accepted therapy
and there are no restrictions on diet or activity.
- People with chronic
(long lasting) hepatitis B and D can be treated with a drug
called interferon.
- In most cases, people
who are severely ill should consider hospitalization for supportive
care.
Why
worry about hepatitis D?
- Hepatitis D can
cause a more severe disease than hepatitis B infection alone.
The diseases together can result in death.
- People with chronic
hepatitis B and hepatitis D have a greater chance of developing
chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
Do
I need to talk to my partner about hepatitis D?
Yes. Remember:
- Hepatitis D is very
rarely sexually transmitted, but using latex condoms every time
for vaginal, oral and anal sex greatly reduces the risk of passing
or getting another STD, like hepatitis B.
Should
I talk to my health care provider about hepatitis D?
You should talk to your health care provider about hepatitis D
if:
- You use injection
drugs and share your needles or works.
- You have received
clotting factor concentrates.
- You have hepatitis
B.
Remember: Getting
vaccinated against hepatitis B helps prevent hepatitis D as well.
Where
can I get more information?
If you have additional questions about hepatitis A, call the
CDC’s National STD
and AIDS Hotlines at 800-342-2437
or 800-227-8922. The hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. For information in Spanish call 800-344-7432, 8:00 a.m.
to 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. For the Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing call 800-243-7889, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday. The hotlines provide referrals and
more answers to your questions.
For more information
about the hepatitis A vaccine, call the National Immunization Information Hotline
at 800-232-2522 or 800-232-0233 for information in Spanish. The
hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00
p.m., Eastern Time. For the Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Call 800-243-7889,
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Other Resources
CDC’s
Division of Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis
Foundation International
American Liver Foundation
Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC)
Parents
of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKID)
