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Ency. home > Disease > D > Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

Delta agent (Hepatitis D)   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Hepatitis delta virus; Delta agent

Definition:

A defective viral agent that causes infection only in association with Hepatitis B infection.

Causes and Risks

Hepatitis D virus may increase the severity of an acute Hepatitis B infection, aggravate previously existing Hepatitis B liver disease, or cause infection in asymptomatic Hepatitis B carriers.

Hepatitis D infects about 15 million people worldwide, or 5% of all people with Hepatitis B.

Risk factors are history of previous Hepatitis B infection, being a carrier of Hepatitis B, receiving many blood transfusions, and intravenous drug abuse. Infection among homosexual men is extremely rare.

Ency. home > Disease > D > Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

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