Hepatitis D
| OTHER NAMES | HDV (Hepatitis D Virus) |
| ORGANISM | Virus: hepatitis D |
| TRANSMISSION | Hepatitis D can be transmitted from person to person through sexual contact, sharing intravenous needles and syringes, razors, or toothbrushes. The virus also can be passed to a baby during pregnancy or delivery. |
| INCUBATION | 21 to 90 days |
| TYPICAL SYMPTOMS | May have no symptoms (especially young children). Some people have mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue, and fever. |
| DIAGNOSIS | Blood test. |
| TREATMENT | A prescription medication called interferon can help treat some people with hepatitis D. |
| PREVENTION | The hepatitis D virus can only infect those also infected with hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis D from being infectious. Avoid sexual intercourse and sharing needles and syringes. Practice safer sex. Do not share personal items that may be contaminated by body fluids, such as razors and toothbrushes. |
| COMMENTS | Hepatitis D infects, on average, 4% of acute hepatitis B cases. Research suggests 3% to 5% of adults with hepatitis B are also infected with hepatitis D.* |
DSHS Publication Number 13-11895