Viral Hepatitis D

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS  
  • jaundice
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea, vomiting
  • joint pain
  • dark (tea colored) urine
CAUSE
  • Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
WITHOUT VACCINATION
  • HDV can be acquired either as
    • a co-infection (occurs simultaneously) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or
    • as a superinfection in persons with existing chronic HBV infection.
  • HBV-HDV co-infection:
    • may have more severe acute disease and a higher risk (2%-20%) of developing acute liver failure compared with those infected with HBV alone
  • HBV-HDV superinfection
    • chronic HBV carriers who acquire HDV superinfection usually develop chronic HDV infection
      • progression to cirrhosis is believed to be more common with HBV/HDV chronic infections
TRANSMISSION
  • Occurs when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not immune.
  • HBV is spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom (the efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission);
  • By sharing drugs, needles, or "works" when "shooting" drugs;
  • Through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job; or
  • From an infected mother to her baby during birth.
RISK GROUPS
  • Injection drug users
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Haemodialysis patients
  • Sex contacts of infected persons
  • Health care and public safety workers
  • Infants born to infected mothers
    • (very rare)
PREVENTION
  • Hepatitis B vaccination
  • HBV-HDV coinfection
    • pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis (hepatitis B immune globulin or vaccine) to prevent HBV infection
  • HBV-HDV superinfection
    • education to reduce risk behaviours among persons with chronic HBV infection
VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to prevent HBV/HDV co-infection
TREATMENT & MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
  • Acute HDV infection
    • Supportive care
  • Chronic HDV infection
    • interferon-alfa
    • liver transplant
TRENDS & STATISTICS 

 
  • Routine surveillance data are not available.

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