Hepatitis D
| OTHER NAMES | HDV (Hepatitis D Virus) |
| ORGANISM | Virus: hepatitis D |
| TRANSMISSION | People can spread hepatitis D through sexual contact or by sharing needles, syringes, razors, or toothbrushes. Pregnant people can also pass the virus to their baby during pregnancy or delivery. |
| INCUBATION | 21 to 90 days |
| TYPICAL SYMPTOMS | You may have no symptoms (especially young children). Some people have mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue, and fever. |
| DIAGNOSIS | A blood test may confirm your diagnosis. |
| 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. Preventative methods include using barrier methods during sex and never sharing items that may contain body fluids, such as razors, toothbrushes, and syringes. |
| 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