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Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Hepatitis D virus

Treatment:

The treatment is the same as for hepatitis B. See hepatitis B .

Persons with long-term HDV infection may receive a medicine called alpha interferon or a liver transplant.

Expectations (prognosis):

Persons with an acute HDV infection usually get better over 2 to 3 weeks. Liver enzyme levels return to normal within 16 weeks.

About 10% of those who are infected may develop long-term (chronic) liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Complications:

• Chronic active hepatitis
• Fulminant hepatitis

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of hepatitis B occur.

References:

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 5th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:1870-1871.

Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2003:1097-1101.

• Review Date: 7/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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