Introduction:
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed, its functioning capacity gets affected. This leads to other complications too. Medications, toxins, viruses, and exposure to certain chemicals can cause inflammation of the liver. Once the liver is affected, it loses its ability to excrete toxins and bilirubin from the body as well as the production of certain proteins, which results in many diseased conditions.
What Is Hepatitis D?
Hepatitis D is the inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis D virus. It is a defective RNA virus (delta); this virus needs HBV (hepatitis B) for its replication. It is a serious condition that only affects people who already have a history of hepatitis B infection. It occurs as coinfection with acute hepatitis B or as a superinfection in chronic hepatitis B.
How Common Is Hepatitis D?
Hepatitis D is more common in eastern and southern Europe, the Mediterranean and the middle east, and parts of Asia like Mongolia, central Africa, and the Amazon river basin in South America.
What Are the Types of Hepatitis D?
Most commonly, there are two types of hepatitis D.They are:
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Acute Hepatitis D: It is a short-term infection. The signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis D have more resemblance to any other type of hepatitis and are more severe. Many times the body can cope with the infection, and the virus fades away.
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Chronic Hepatitis D: It is a long-lasting infection. Chronic condition occurs when your body fails to fight against the virus, and the virus does not go away. Individuals who have hepatitis B along with hepatits D develop more complications are more quickly than people with chronic hepatitis B.
How Is Hepatitis D Transmitted?
The routes of hepatitis D transmission are mostly the same as hepatitis B:
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Coming in contact with broken skin with infected blood or blood products via injection or tattooing.
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It can be caused by coming in direct contact with the infected person, such as coming into contact with the infected person's urine, vaginal fluids, blood, and semen.
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From an infected mother to her child during birth.
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People who have the habit of taking recreational injectable drugs.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis D?
The signs and symptoms of hepatitis D are:
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Malaise (weakness and feeling tired).
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Weight loss.
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Swelling of the abdomen (ascites - due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen).
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Itchy skin.
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Edema (swelling of the ankles).
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Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membrane, and whites of the eye).
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Loss of appetite.
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Liver pain in the right upper part of the abdomen.
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Darkening of urine.
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Lightening of stools.
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Joint pain.
How Is the Diagnosis Made for Hepatitis D?
The following diagnostic methods are used:
1. Blood Test:
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IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti HAV).
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Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
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Serologic testing.
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IgM antibody to IgM anti-HBc, which is hepatitis B core, antibody-HCV (hepatitis C virus), and HCV RNA PCR, that is, hepatitis C RNA PCR.
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HDV - High levels of anti-HDV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) are confirmed by the detection of HDV RNA serum.
2. Elastography: A special ultrasound is used to measure the stiffness of the liver.
3. Liver Biopsy: A needle is used to remove a small piece of tissue from the liver, and it is sent to the laboratory. The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for signs of any type of damage and disease to the liver.
What Is the Treatment Provided for Hepatitis D?
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Hepatitis D has no cure. It can only be prevented from being severe and can be managed to control the severity of the disease.
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As soon as the detection of hepatitis D is done, you should contact your health care provider immediately to avoid further complications.
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Pegylated interferon-alpha is generally recommended for hepatitis D virus infection; this medication is taken once daily by mouth.
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This treatment may last at least 48 weeks, irrespective of the patient's response.
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Most of the time, viruses tend to give a low rate of response to the treatment, but the treatment is associated with a lower likelihood of progression of the disease.
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More concentration on the need to reduce the burden of chronic hepatitis B is seen.
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Treatment with minimal side effects or no side effects is recommended to compensate for conditions like cirrhosis (end-stage liver disease), autoimmune disease (hepatitis due to the body’s abnormal immune system), and active psychiatric conditions.
How Can Hepatitis D Be Prevented?
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Avoiding hepatitis B infection is the only way to prevent hepatitis D infection. All methods to prevent hepatitis B infection will lead to prevention and reduce the risk of getting hepatitis D.
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Getting vaccinated: Vaccination is bliss; vaccination of hepatitis B is available. All children should be vaccinated. Adults with a high risk of infection are recommended for vaccination. This vaccination is usually an episode of three consecutive injections over six months.
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Be cautious during tattooing and piercing, inquire about the sterilization of the equipment, and make sure they use sterile needles. Go to a trustworthy place.
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Stop using drugs, and avoid injectable recreational drugs like heroin and cocaine. Use sterile needles each time in case you are not able to avoid drugs, and never share the needle with other people.
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Always practice safe sex, and use protection such as condoms. Never have unprotected sex with someone who has been infected by any type of hepatitis or any STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Is the Hepatitis D Vaccine Available?
No vaccine is available for hepatitis D. A vaccine for hepatitis B is available, which can, in turn, be helpful in preventing hepatitis D also.
Conclusion:
Hepatitis D is a serious condition that can result in serious life-threatening complications. Hepatitis D infection is also termed Delta virus infection. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis D, make healthy choices, and eat a proper healthy diet to protect your liver from further damage. Inform your dentist before taking any dental treatments to avoid the spread of the infection, and also avoid coming in close contact with other healthy people to avoid its spread. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver infection and can lead to end-stage liver disease and associated complications like accelerated fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver decompensation.
