Hepatitis D: Exploration of Characteristics, Underlying Causes, Telltale Signs, and Remedial Measures
In a world where viral hepatitis continues to pose a significant health concern, one lesser-known strain, hepatitis D, requires special attention. Known as delta hepatitis, this viral infection causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to severe complications if left untreated.
People with chronic hepatitis D are often prescribed pegylated interferon-alpha for a certain duration to manage the condition. However, those with the virus may not notice any symptoms even after years of living with it. Complications, such as severe damage to the liver, may arise, necessitating treatment to limit liver damage or, in severe cases, a liver transplant.
The major risk factor for developing hepatitis D infection is having hepatitis B (HBV) infection. HDV, the causative agent of hepatitis D, requires HBV co-infection to replicate. This means anyone with chronic or acute HBV infection is at risk of acquiring HDV. Routes of transmission, similar to hepatitis B, include exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids, such as through intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual contact, and exposure to contaminated blood products. Mother-to-child transmission is less common for HDV compared to HBV but still possible.
Other health and environmental factors may modify the risk or progression of disease. These include co-infection with HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as alcohol or other substance use disorders. Poor sanitation and living conditions, which facilitate the spread of viral hepatitis in general, can contribute indirectly to higher HDV risk in populations where HBV is prevalent.
Regular checkups and symptom monitoring can help identify complications early and improve the chances of successful treatment. People may come into contact with an infected person's bodily fluids through sharing needles, having unprotected sex, having blood-to-blood contact, during childbirth, using unsterilized medical or drug equipment.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for hepatitis D. However, treatment can help people manage the condition. Treatment for hepatitis B, which can co-occur with hepatitis D, includes antiviral medication and immune modulating drugs. Early treatment of both infections can help lower the risk of getting complications.
Regular checkups and early diagnosis are crucial for successful treatment of liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis D. People with acute hepatitis D may experience fatigue, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen, dark urine, lighter stool, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). A blood test can show whether someone has hepatitis D, and a doctor may also carry out tests to check the health of the liver, such as an ultrasound or biopsy.
Approximately 5% of people worldwide with chronic hepatitis B also have hepatitis D, equating to about 15-20 million people. Rates of reported hepatitis D are highest in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South America, Pacific Islands, and Greenland. Despite this, hepatitis D is not very common in the United States, with fewer than 100,000 reported cases of the virus.
A doctor will carry out a physical examination, take a full medical history, and consider any symptoms and risk factors before making a hepatitis D diagnosis. People who are more at risk of getting hepatitis D include those who have hepatitis B, have not received the hepatitis B vaccine, inject drugs, have unprotected sex with multiple partners, or live in a part of the world where hepatitis D is more prevalent.
Maintaining a healthful lifestyle, including good nutrition and regular exercise, can support the liver for people with hepatitis D. Furthermore, a hepatitis B vaccine can protect a person from both hepatitis B and D. By understanding the risks and taking preventative measures, we can work towards eradicating this potentially life-threatening virus.
- Science and medical research continue to focus on developing effective treatments for the liver-affecting medical condition, hepatitis D (delta hepatitis), as it requires special attention and can cause severe complications if left untreated.
- Regular checkups and early diagnosis are essential for the health-and-wellness of people with hepatitis D, as the disease often goes unnoticed for years, and complications like liver damage or the need for a liver transplant may arise, necessitating treatment.
