What is hepatitis D caused by?
Hepatitis D, also known as “delta hepatitis,” is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus.
Where is hepatitis D most common?
Hepatitis D is most common in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, West and Central Africa, East Asia, and the Amazon Basin in South America.
Is hepatitis D bad?
Hepatitis D However, this medication can have severe side effects. As a result, it’s not recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage, those with psychiatric conditions, and people with autoimmune diseases.
What is the treatment of hepatitis D?
There is currently no cure for hepatitis D, but treatment can help people manage the condition. For people with chronic hepatitis D, a doctor will often prescribe a medicine called pegylated interferon-alpha, which reduces the risk of the condition worsening. People will usually take this for at least 48 weeks .
What are the complications of hepatitis D?
What are the complications of chronic hepatitis D? Chronic hepatitis D may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. People who have chronic hepatitis B and D are more likely to develop these complications than people who have chronic hepatitis B alone.
How does hepatitis D replicate?
Unlike most RNA viruses, HDV does not encode its own replicase or RNA-dependant RNA polymerase to replicate its genome. Rather, it makes use of cellular RNA polymerases which are DNA-dependant RNA polymerases.
Who is most at risk for hepatitis D?
Populations that are more likely to have HBV and HDV co-infection include indigenous populations, recipients of haemodialysis and people who inject drugs. Worldwide, the number of HDV infections has decreased since the 1980s, due mainly to a successful global HBV vaccination programme.
How long does it take to recover from hepatitis D?