Sarah Bennett
Hepatitis D is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis D, but vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent HDV infection. This is because hepatitis D can only infect people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis A, on the other hand, is preventable by safe and effective vaccines, which are the best way to protect against the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis D vaccine | No hepatitis D vaccine is currently available |
| Hepatitis B vaccine | Can prevent hepatitis D infection |
| Hepatitis A vaccine | Does not fight hepatitis D |
| Hepatitis A and B combination vaccine | Does not fight hepatitis D |
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What You'll Learn
Hepatitis D requires hepatitis B to infect a person
Hepatitis D is a type of viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. HDV is considered a subviral agent as it can only propagate in the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In other words, hepatitis D requires hepatitis B to infect a person.
Hepatitis D can occur either via simultaneous infection with HBV (coinfection) or superimposed on chronic hepatitis B (superinfection). A coinfection and superinfection can both cause severe acute hepatitis. However, superinfection is considered the most serious type of viral hepatitis due to its severity of complications. These complications include a greater likelihood of experiencing liver failure in acute infections and a rapid progression to liver cirrhosis, with an increased risk of developing liver cancer in chronic infections. In combination with hepatitis B, hepatitis D has the highest fatality rate of all hepatitis infections, at 20%.
Hepatitis D affects nearly 5% of people globally with a chronic infection of hepatitis B. Populations that are more likely to have HBV and HDV coinfection include indigenous populations, recipients of haemodialysis, and people who inject drugs. The risk of HDV infection also appears to be potentially higher in men who have sex with men and commercial sex workers.
Since hepatitis D requires hepatitis B to infect a person, vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent HDV infection. The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given soon after birth (usually within 24 hours) to protect against hepatitis B and D viral infection. Preventing hepatitis B will also prevent hepatitis D.
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Hepatitis B vaccines prevent hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is a type of viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. The hepatitis D virus is unusual because it can only infect people who also have a hepatitis B virus infection. In other words, hepatitis D infection cannot occur in the absence of HBV. This is because HDV requires hepatitis B viral infection to be present in a person in order to infect and replicate.
Therefore, the best way to prevent hepatitis D is by preventing hepatitis B. This can be done by getting the hepatitis B vaccine, which is safe and effective for infants, children, and adults. The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given soon after birth (within 24 hours) to protect against hepatitis B and D viral infection. It is also recommended for adults who are at an increased risk of exposure to hepatitis B and were not vaccinated as children.
In addition to vaccination, there are other ways to prevent hepatitis B and, by extension, hepatitis D. These include:
- Using sterile equipment for tattoos or body piercings
- Not sharing needles or other injection equipment
- Using latex or polyurethane condoms during sexual intercourse
- Not sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers
It is important to note that while hepatitis B immunization can prevent HDV coinfection, it does not provide protection against HDV for those who are already infected with HBV. Furthermore, there is currently no vaccine specifically for hepatitis D.
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Hepatitis D is a more severe form of hepatitis B
Hepatitis D is a viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). It is unique because it can only infect people who also have a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In other words, hepatitis D is a double infection. HDV requires the hepatitis B virus to replicate and spread.
Hepatitis D is considered the most severe form of hepatitis B. It causes more severe liver disease than HBV alone. The infection can lead to lifelong liver damage and even death. It can also lead to liver cancer or liver failure. In acute HBV-HDV coinfection, patients may experience a biphasic course with two distinct peaks in serum alanine aminotransferase, reflecting the sequential spread of HBV and HDV.
The superinfection of HDV on chronic hepatitis B accelerates progression to a more severe disease in all ages and in 70–90% of persons. Patients with HDV-induced cirrhosis are at an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HDV infection can result in necrosis and inflammation of the hepatic cells. In acute disease, there is intralobular infiltration of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, macrophages) and cytoplasmic eosinophilia. Chronic hepatitis is characterised by periportal necrosis and is often accompanied by nodular changes.
The best way to prevent hepatitis D is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. Vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent HDV coinfection. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis D.
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Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis delta virus
Hepatitis D is a type of viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. HDV is a subviral agent that can only propagate in the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In other words, hepatitis D is a double infection, and one can only be infected with hepatitis D if they already have hepatitis B.
The hepatitis delta virus is made up of three proteins taken from the hepatitis B virus and an inner particle containing the virus's genome. The hepatitis D virion is small and spherical, with a diameter of 36 nm. The HDV genome is negative-sense, single-stranded, closed circular RNA, making it the smallest "virus" known to infect animals.
Hepatitis D is transmitted in the same way as hepatitis B, through contact with infected human blood or other bodily fluids. It can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse or, rarely, from a mother to her child before or around birth. Populations that are more likely to have HBV and HDV co-infection include indigenous populations, recipients of haemodialysis, and people who inject drugs.
Hepatitis D infection can cause acute or chronic infection. Acute hepatitis D is a short-term infection with symptoms similar to other types of hepatitis but often more severe. Chronic hepatitis D is a long-lasting infection where the virus stays in the body. Chronic HDV infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to its rapid progression towards liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Hepatitis A vaccines are safe and effective
Hepatitis A vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing hepatitis A infections. Vaccines, like any medicine, may have side effects, but the common side effects are usually mild and last 1-2 days. The most common side effect is soreness in the area around the shot site. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is an early warning system co-managed by the CDC and FDA that monitors for potential vaccine safety problems.
The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety of hepatitis A vaccines. In studies of people who received a complete vaccine series, anti-HAV has been shown to persist for at least 20 years. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV produced after vaccination confers long-term immunity, although the exact duration of protection is unknown.
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all children aged 12-23 months, as well as unvaccinated children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. The CDC also recommends the vaccine for people at increased risk of hepatitis A infection, including international travellers, men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, people with occupational risk, those anticipating close contact with an international adoptee, people experiencing homelessness, and pregnant patients at risk for HAV infection or severe outcomes.
Hepatitis D, on the other hand, does not have a specific vaccine. However, hepatitis D infection requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. Therefore, vaccination against hepatitis B can effectively prevent HDV infection. The World Health Organization recommends universal vaccination against hepatitis B, which in turn helps prevent hepatitis D.
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Frequently asked questions
Hepatitis D is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It is a "satellite virus" that can only infect people who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis D is transmitted through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. This can occur through sexual intercourse, sharing needles or syringes, birth, or sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes.
There is currently no vaccine specifically for hepatitis D. However, vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent HDV infection as it cannot occur without HBV. Treatments for hepatitis D include Peginterferon injections, Bulevirtide (Hepcludex), and in severe cases, a liver transplant.
Symptoms of hepatitis D include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, and worsening hepatitis B symptoms. These symptoms typically appear 3-7 weeks after infection.
No, the hepatitis D vaccine does not fight hepatitis A as there is currently no specific vaccine for hepatitis D. The hepatitis A vaccine only protects against hepatitis A, and there are separate vaccines for hepatitis B, as well as a combination hepatitis A and B vaccine.
