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