One of several types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis D is a disease of the liver caused by an infection with the hepatitis D virus. Symptoms of hepatitis D can include nausea, diarrhea, and joint pain. In order for a person to develop hepatitis D, he or she must already have an active hepatitis B infection. The best way to prevent hepatitis D is to get the hepatitis B vaccine and avoid high-risk situation (such as unsafe sex).
What Is Hepatitis D?
Hepatitis D is a disease of the liver caused by a virus (specifically, the hepatitis D virus). Most people who get hepatitis D can get rid of the virus on their own, but others can develop chronic (or life-long) hepatitis D.
The cause of hepatitis D is an infection with the hepatitis D virus. The hepatitis D virus is a RNA virus that belongs to the genus Deltavirus. Once inside the body, the hepatitis D virus enters liver cells, where it begins to make millions of copies of itself.
However, there is one important difference between hepatitis D and other types of
viral hepatitis. A person who is infected with the hepatitis D virus must also have a
hepatitis B infection in order for the hepatitis D virus to multiply. This is not the case with other types of viral hepatitis. A person must either have chronic hepatitis B or have been infected with the
hepatitis B virus at the same time as they became infected with the hepatitis D virus. Otherwise, the hepatitis D virus cannot multiply.
Acute Versus Chronic Hepatitis D
There are two types of hepatitis D -- acute (recently acquired) and chronic (life-long).
For most people with acute hepatitis D, symptoms gradually get better within a couple of months. These people will have no long-lasting liver damage and will recover completely.
For some people, the body is not able to completely get rid of the virus. These people end up having a long-term liver infection. This is called chronic hepatitis D. People with chronic hepatitis D can infect others and are at an increased risk of serious liver disease, including
cirrhosis and
liver cancer.
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