Living with Hepatitis D virus infection
A rare liver infection that only occurs in people who also have hepatitis B.
Understanding Hepatitis D virus infection
It causes acute hepatitis (liver inflammation) of varying degrees. It can occasionally be mild, but is most often severe liver disease that may progress quickly to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). All people with it also have hepatitis B. GARD says the risk of liver cancer is also higher.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- Belly pain
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Easy bruising
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Hepatitis B Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by infection with the hepatitis delta virus. All people with it also have a hepatitis B virus infection.
Also known as: delta hepatitis; hdv; hepatitis d; hepatitis d virus; hepatitis delta; hepatitis delta virus caused hepatitis
Patient organizations
- Hepatitis B FoundationHepatitis D virus infection · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Hepatitis D virus infection.
Explore research for Hepatitis D virus infection
Explore actively recruiting Hepatitis D virus infection studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Hepatitis D virus infection with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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