Hepatitis D (delta) virus infection
Infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta agent, occurs only in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
- HDV infection may make HBV infection more severe.
- In people who have long-term (chronic) HBV infection, hepatitis D virus infection can make liver disease worse, or it can cause a person who did not have symptoms before to develop liver problems more rapidly.
- Some people who have hepatitis D also have severe hepatitis B.
- Vaccination against hepatitis B will prevent hepatitis D virus infection.
- Hepatitis D virus infection is rare in the United States.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: October 15, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology | |
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