HEPATITIS D 

You can only contract hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B. Hepatitis D is the only form of HDV that cannot contract on its own.

Hepatitis D can be either acute or chronic.

• Acute Hepatitis D– It occurs suddenly and typically causes more severe symptoms. It may go away on its own.
• Chronic Hepatitis D– It is the long-term version of the infection (6 months or longer) that develops gradually over time. The virus might be present in the body for several months before symptoms occur. As chronic hepatitis D progresses, the chances of complications increase. Many people with the condition eventually develop cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver.

Symptoms

Once you have hepatitis D, you can infect others even before your symptoms appear. It is because Hepatitis D doesn’t always cause symptoms. But when symptoms occur, they often include:

• Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes (Jaundice)
• Joint Pain
• Dark Urine
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Loss of Appetite
• Abdominal Pain

Hepatitis B and D have similar symptoms. It can be difficult to determine which disease is causing your symptoms. In some cases, hepatitis D can worsen the symptoms of hepatitis B. It can also cause symptoms in people who have hepatitis B but who never had symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS

If you have symptoms of Hepatitis D, call your doctor right away. To diagnose that you have Hepatitis D, your doctor may suggests:

• Blood Test- That can detect anti-hepatitis D antibodies in your blood. If antibodies are found, it means you’ve been exposed to the virus.
• Liver Function Test- This is a blood test that evaluates the health of your liver by measuring the levels of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood. Results from the liver function test will show whether your liver is stressed or damaged.

TREATMENT

There is no known cure for Hepatitis D. Antiviral medications that used to treat other forms of hepatitis are believed to be ineffective in treating HDV.

For up to 12 months, you may be given large doses of Interferon. This medication may stop the virus from spreading that may lead to the remission from the disease. However, it doesn’t ensure total healing.

Liver transplants may be required for people who have cirrhosis or another type of liver damage. In this surgical procedure, a damaged liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one from a donor.