Delta hepatitis commonly known as hepatitis D is an infection which occurs in the liver caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is an incomplete virus due to it needing hepatitis B for its replication. Hepatitis D can only occur in people who are infected with HBV. Although HDV is not curable it is, however, preventable by taking hepatitis B shots.
Hepatitis D comes in two ways, chronic and acute. Acute HDV occurs suddenly and causes more severe symptoms. With acute HDV there is a chance of the body fighting off the virus thus causing the HDV to go away on its own. If the virus stays in your body longer than six months it changes from acute to chronic hep.D. in chronic HDV the virus presents itself in the body for several months before the symptoms occur. when the chronic HDV progresses it causes scarring and cirrhoses to the liver and it can also lead to having liver failure.
Unlike any other type of hepatitis, HDV cannot be contracted on its own, it only infects people who are already infected. Symptoms of HDV is jaundice, joint pain, upper abdominal pain, dark urine, and light stool. Some of these symptoms don’t develop until much later, some don’t develop at all. The medication used to help the virus is interferon, which is a drug prescribed for 12 months. Interferon is a protein that stops the virus from spreading which can lead to remission. Hepatitis D is not always curable depending on how advanced it is but, scientist all around the world are trying to find a cure for it.
Healthline. (2019). Hepatitis D: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/delta-agent-hepatitis-d [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].
Hepb.org. (2019). What is Hepatitis D? » Hepatitis B Foundation. [online] Available at: http://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/hepdeltaconnect/whatishepatitisd/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].
Cdc.gov. (2019). Hepatitis D Information For Health Professionals | Division of Viral Hepatitis | CDC. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hdv/index.htm [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019]