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Bloodborne Pathogens Section
Hepatitis D Fact Sheet
Cause
- Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis delta virus.
- Discovered in 1977
- This is a defective virus. It can only replicate in the presence of
hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg).
- People infected with Hep D can be coinfected (infected with Hep B
and D at the same time), or superinfected (existing Hep B infection
and then infected later with Hep D)
Clinical Characteristics
| Incubation Period |
Incubation period of coinfected people is
longer than that of superinfected people |
| Infection Rates |
Worldwide, >5% of people with Hep B are also infected
with Hep D |
| Coinfection: |
Acute Illness: Serious illness in most cases
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| Chronic Illness: 2% of infections
become long-term |
| Superinfection: |
Chronic Illness: Over 90%
of people infected become long-term carriers |
| Death from Cancer of the Liver |
Few die from this complication |
Death rates are higher for patients with HBV and patients with Disease
from liver damage (15-25%)
Signs and Symptoms
- The symptoms of Hep D are identical to those of Hep B (click here
for Hep B Fact Sheet).
- These symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes),
tiredness, loss of appetite, joint pain, pain in the stomach area, and
feelings of sickness.
Modes of Transmission
- Most cases are acquired by exposure to contaminated needles.
- Sexual transmission occurs, but is not common
- Household transmission can occur.
Persons at Risk
Those at risk for Hep D infection are limited to people at risk for
Hep B. This includes people with multiple sexual partners and people who
inject drugs. (See Hep B Fact Sheet)
Prevention
- In people without Hep B infection, vaccination against HBV will protect
against the hepatitis delta virus.
- People with Hep B should try to eliminate their risk of exposure to
infected blood or blood products (see risk factors) to make sure they
do not become infected.
Vaccine Information
- There are no vaccines available for Hep D.
- Vaccination against Hep B will protect against Hep D.
Treatment
- Hep D can be treated in some cases by Interferon-alpha, but around
60-97% of those who initially respond to the treatment will relapse,
and get Hep D again.
Canadian Data on the Trends of Hep D
- The prevalence of Hep D infection is extremely low in Canada.
Reference: Bloodborne Pathogens Section, Blood Safety Surveillance and
Health Care Acquired Infections Division, Health Canada, 2003
[Blood Safety Surveillance and
Health Care Acquired Infections Division]
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