Hepatitis D is a viral infection that causes inflammation and damage to the liver. Inflammation in the liver is caused by viral infections. This may worsen the liver and do not function properly. Hepatitis D virus is abnormal because it can only affect if there is also a hepatitis B virus infection. In this way, hepatitis D is a double infection. Avoiding hepatitis B can also save you from hepatitis D.
Hepatitis D also spreads like hepatitis B, through contact with the blood or other body fluids of the infected person.
Acute Hepatitis D
Acute hepatitis D is a short-term infection. Sometimes your body is able to fight infection and the virus goes away.
Chronic Hepatitis D
Chronic hepatitis D is a long-lasting infection. Chronic hepatitis D occurs when your body is not able to fight the virus and the virus cannot be overcome. Chronic hepatitis B and D may have more complications.
How do hepatitis D and hepatitis B infections occur simultaneously?
People can be infected with hepatitis D only when hepatitis B occurs. Hepatitis D virus, hepatitis B virus is used to grow.
The infection occurs when both hepatitis D and hepatitis B are infected at the same time. The infection usually causes acute, or short-term, hepatitis D and B infections.
In most cases, people are able to fight acute hepatitis D and B infections and the viruses go away. However, in less than 5% of people, both infections are not cured and become chronic.
Superinfection
Superinfection already has chronic hepatitis B infection and then someone also gets hepatitis D infection. Super-infection can have symptoms of severe hepatitis.
How many people does Hepatitis D?
It is warm countries such as the Mediterranean region and the Middle East; parts of Asia, including Mongolia; Central Africa; And more is seen in South America.
Who has more chances to have Hepatitis D?
Hepatitis D is infected only in people who have hepatitis B. Some people are more likely to have hepatitis D in addition to hepatitis B.
- Injections – drug users.
- Live with someone with hepatitis D or a relationship with him.
- Are from an area of the world where hepatitis D leads to more people.
Complications of acute hepatitis D?
In rare cases, Acute Hepatitis D can cause severe liver failure. In this situation, the liver suddenly fails. Although acute liver failure is abnormal, hepatitis D and B infections can cause more acute liver failure than hepatitis B infection alone.
Complications of chronic hepatitis D
Chronic hepatitis can be caused by D cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. People who have chronic hepatitis B and D are more likely to develop these complications.
Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and D can reduce the likelihood of developing serious health problems.
Liver Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver gradually breaks down and is unable to function normally. Replacing healthy liver tissues, take bad tissues, and partially stop the flow of blood through the liver.
In the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver continues to function. But later the liver starts to stop working.
Liver Failure
Liver failure progresses in months, years, or decades. The liver cannot function in it.
Liver cancer
Having chronic Hepatitis D increases the likelihood of developing liver cancer. If chronic Hepatitis D causes severe liver damage or cirrhosis before hepatitis D treatment, you will continue to have an increased likelihood of liver cancer even after treatment. The doctor can get an ultrasound every 6 months. Tests to check liver cancer the discovery of cancer at an early stage improves the likelihood of treating cancer.
Symptoms of hepatitis D
Symptoms of acute hepatitis D
- feeling tired
- nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- pain over the liver, in the upper part of the abdomen
- Thickening of urine darkening of the color of urine
- lightening of the color of stool
- a yellowish tint to the whites of the eyes and skin called jaundice
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis D
- weakness and feeling tired
- Weight loss
- swelling of the abdomen
- welling of the ankles called edema
- itching skin
- Jaundice
Causes of Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis D virus is transmitted through contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids.
- Sharing drug needles or other drug ingredients with an infected person
- Tattoos with devices used on an infected person
- Contact with blood or open wounds of an infected person
- Using an infected person’s razor, toothbrush, or a nail-biter
- Birth from hepatitis D infected mother
- Having unprotected sex with an infected person
Diagnose hepatitis D
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the factors that will make you more likely to have hepatitis D.
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, your doctor will check the signs of liver damage such as
- Changes in skin color
- Swelling of the lower leg, legs, or ankles
- Tenderness or swelling in your stomach
Blood Tests
Your doctor may order one or more blood tests for the diagnosis of hepatitis D. A health care professional will take a blood sample to you and send the sample to a laboratory.
Additional Tests
Chronic hepatitis D can cause liver damage. The doctor can recommend additional tests to find out if there is liver damage, how much liver damage is there, etc. These tests may include
- Blood test
- Special ultrasound transient elastography
- Liver biopsy
Treatment of hepatitis D
Doctors can treat chronic hepatitis D with interferon interferons, such as pegasis drugs called peginterferon alfa-2a.
Additionally, hepatitis B drugs may be required.
Prevention from hepatitis D
- Not sharing the contents of drugs needles or other drugs
- Touching someone else’s blood or open wounds by wearing gloves
- Using only sterilized devices of tattoos
- Not sharing personal bumps such as toothbrushes, razors, or nail-biting, etc.
Diet for hepatitis D
A balanced, healthy diet should be eaten. Alcohol should also be avoided as it can cause more liver damage.