Hepatitis D Prevention

The most effective approach to preventing hepatitis D is to get the hepatitis B vaccine. This is because a person cannot develop hepatitis D unless he or she already has hepatitis B. Besides the hepatitis B vaccine, there is also a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Another approach to hepatitis D prevention is avoiding high-risk behaviors such as shooting drugs or sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, washcloths, or anything else that could have an infected person's blood on it.

Hepatitis D Information

Hepatitis D Prevention Suggestions

Hepatitis D is an infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It is most commonly spread through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva.

There are a number of ways to prevent a hepatitis D infection. The best way to protect yourself from hepatitis D is to get the hepatitis B vaccine and avoid high-risk behaviors.

Hepatitis D Prevention -- The Hepatitis B Vaccine

The best way to prevent hepatitis D is to get vaccinated for hepatitis B.

This is because a person cannot get hepatitis D unless he or she has hepatitis B.

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given through three injections over a period of six months. Candidates for hepatitis B vaccination can include the following groups of people:

All girls and boys from 0 to 18 years old
Anyone whose sex partner has chronic hepatitis D
Men who have sex with men
Someone who has recently been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
People with multiple sex partners
Anyone who shoots drugs
Someone who lives with a person who has chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis D
People whose jobs expose them to human blood.

A combination vaccine exists for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

(Click Hepatitis B Vaccine for more information.)

(Hepatitis D Prevention Continued: Page 2)