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Hepatitis D

What is Delta Agent (Hepatitis D)?

Hepatitis pronounced - HEP-ah-TY-tis.

Delta agent is a type of virus called hepatitis D. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a serious liver disease and is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus.

How Hepatitis D Spreads

Hepatitis D is spread through contact with infected blood. This disease only occurs at the same time as infection with hepatitis B or in people who are already infected with hepatitis B.

Who is at Risk for Hepatitis D?

• Anyone infected with hepatitis B is at risk for hepatitis D.
• Injection drug users have the highest risk.
• People who live with or have sex with a person infected with hepatitis D.
• People who received a transfusion of blood or blood products before 1987.

Prevention of Hepatitis D

People not already infected with hepatitis B should receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Other preventive measures include avoiding exposure to infected blood, contaminated needles, and an infected person's personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers.

Treatment for Hepatitis D

Chronic hepatitis D is usually treated with pegylated interferon, although other potential treatments are under study.

Other Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis has the following forms:

• Autoimmune Hepatitis - Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks liver cells. This immune response causes inflammation of the liver, also called hepatitis.
• Hepatitis A - A virus most often spread by unclean food and water.
• Hepatitis B - A virus commonly spread by sexual intercourse or blood transfusion, or from mother to newborn at birth. Another way it spreads is by using a needle that was used by an infected person. Hepatitis B is more common and much more easily spread than the AIDS virus and may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• Hepatitis C - A virus spread by blood transfusion and possibly by sexual intercourse or sharing needles with infected people. Hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C used to be called non-A, non-B hepatitis.
• Hepatitis D - Delta Agent - Delta agent is a type of virus that occurs mostly in people who take illegal drugs by using needles. Only people who have hepatitis B can get hepatitis D
• Hepatitis E - A virus spread mostly through unclean water. This type of hepatitis is common in developing countries. It has not occurred in the United States.

Other Causes of Hepatitis

Some cases of viral hepatitis cannot be attributed to the hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E viruses, or even the less common viruses that can infect the liver, such as:

• Cytomegalovirus
• Epstein-Barr virus, also called infectious mononucleosis
• Herpesvirus
• Parvovirus
• Adenovirus

These cases are called non-A-E hepatitis. Scientists continue to study the causes of non-A-E hepatitis.

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Cirrhosis
Pronounced - suh-ROH-sis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long term disease. Cirrhosis has many causes. In the United States, the most common causes are chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Nothing will make the scar tissue disappear, but treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. If too much scar tissue forms, you may need to consider a liver transplant. More about Cirrhosis.

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
February 2008
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.