What is delta hepatitis (hepatitis D)?
Delta hepatitis is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus. Symptoms are similar to hepatitis B and may include fever, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice (yellow color to the whites of the eyes or skin and darkening of urine). Some persons who have delta hepatitis have no symptoms. Up to 20% of delta hepatitis infections are rapidly fatal. Infected persons may recover or may develop chronic, long-term delta hepatitis (carrier) and are at risk for cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure. Where does it come from? Delta hepatitis is an infection of humans. Acute delta hepatitis infection may be followed by recovery but usually becomes chronic and causes symptoms for years. An infected person with no symptoms can still spread delta hepatitis to others. How is it spread? Delta hepatitis infection can only occur along with hepatitis B infection. Infection with delta hepatitis can happen in a person with chronic hepatitis B infection, or n
