Hepatitis D

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Hepatitis D

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 can be an acute, short-term infection or become a long-term, chronic infection.


Transmission

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Transmission

HDV is spread via 

  • Person to person through contact with blood or body fluids (e.g., semen and saliva),
    • Sex with an infected partner
    • Contact with blood from or the open sores of an infected person
    • Birth to an infected mother (rare)
  • Environment to person through activities that involve punctures through the skin. This may include:
    • Injection-drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment
    • Sharing items (e.g., razors and toothbrushes) with an infected person

Symptoms

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Symptoms

The symptoms of short-term HDV infection: 

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored bowel movements
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice 

Symptoms typically appear three-seven weeks after the initial infection.

Diagnosis

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Diagnosis

Hepatitis D is not easy to tell apart from other types of short-term viral hepatitis. Therefore, a diagnosis can be confirmed only by testing for the presence of antibodies against HDV and/or HDV RNA.


Treatment

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Treatment

No treatment is available for HDV infection. specifically. In cases of fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) and end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation may be considered.


Prevention

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Prevention

Although no vaccine is available for hepatitis D, vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine can protect people from HDV infections. 

For more information about the treatment of hepatitis contact your healthcare provider D, or visit Hepatitis D - FAQs and Laboratory Testing Requests | CDC


Exclusion Guidance

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Exclusion Guidance

Individuals with hepatitis D should not be excluded from work, school, or child care unless the general exclusions apply.

For additional information about hepatitis D,
contact the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services’, Division of Public Health, at 800.472.2180. 

Resources

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Resources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, June 22). Hepatitis D - faqs and laboratory testing requests. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hdv/index.htm
 
08/23/24