MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

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Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention References

Illustrations

Hepatitis B virus

Alternative Names Return to top

Hepatitis D virus

Definition Return to top

Delta agent is a type of virus called hepatitis D that causes symptoms only in people who have a hepatitis B infection.

Causes Return to top

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make a hepatitis B infection or existing hepatitis B liver disease worse. It can cause symptoms in people with hepatitis B virus who never had symptoms.

Hepatitis D infects about 15 million people worldwide. It occurs in 5% of people with hepatitis B.

Risk factors include:

Having a hepatitis B infection in the past
Carrying the hepatitis B virus
Receiving many blood transfusions
Intravenous (IV) drug abuse
Men having intercourse with other men
Being infected while pregnant (can pass the virus to the baby)

Symptoms Return to top

Hepatitis D may increase the severity of symptoms associated with all forms of hepatitis B.

Symptoms may include:

Jaundice
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Joint pain
Dark-colored urine

Exams and Tests Return to top

Liver enzymes are higher than normal.
Anti-delta agent antibody is positive for HDV.
Liver biopsy shows liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Treatment Return to top

The treatment is the same as for hepatitis B. See hepatitis B.

Persons with long-term HDV infection may receive a medicine called alpha interferon or a liver transplant.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Persons with an acute HDV infection usually get better over 2 to 3 weeks. Liver enzyme levels return to normal within 16 weeks.

About 10% of those who are infected may develop long-term (chronic) liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Possible Complications Return to top

Chronic active hepatitis
Fulminant hepatitis

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of hepatitis B occur.

Prevention Return to top

Prompt recognition and treatment of hepatitis B infection can help prevent hepatitis D.

Avoid intravenous drug abuse. If you use IV drugs, avoid sharing needles.

A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. It should be considered by people who are at high risk for hepatitis B infection.

References Return to top

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:1870-1871.

Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2003:1097-1101.

Update Date: 7/28/2006

Updated by: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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