Delta agent (Hepatitis D)
Definition
Delta agent is a type of virus called hepatitis D that causes symptoms only in people who have a hepatitis B infection.
Alternative Names
Hepatitis D virusCauses
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make a hepatitis B infection or existing hepatitis B liver disease worse. It can cause symptoms in people with hepatitis B virus who never had symptoms.
Hepatitis D infects about 15 million people worldwide. It occurs in 5% of people with hepatitis B.
Risk factors include:
- Having a hepatitis B infection in the past
- Carrying the hepatitis B virus
- Receiving many blood transfusions
- Intravenous (IV) drug abuse
- Men having intercourse with other men
- Being infected while pregnant (can pass the virus to the baby)
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.
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