Hepatitis D and E - They Couldn't Be More Different

Hepatitis D and E are both uncommon forms of hepatitis. While many assume they are similar in nature, this is actually quite the opposite. Hepatitis D and E are not alike.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D or HDV is sometimes referred to as the delta virus or delta agent. It is an incomplete virus that requires hepatitis B in order to survive in the body. You can only get hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B and you don't necessarily have hepatitis D if you have hepatitis B.

You can attain hepatitis D at the same time you are infected with hepatitis B. When this happens, it is called a 'co-infection'. If infected in this manner, acute hepatitis will develop after a period of up to three months. This period of time is from the start of infection to the time symptoms first appear.

However, if you already have hepatitis B and then become infected with hepatitis D, this is referred to as 'superinfection'. It is superinfection that is most likely to cause severe hepatitis and cirrhosis vs. a co-infection, which is serious, but not as serious as superinfection.

Roughly 5% of people with hepatitis B are also infected with hepatitis D and only about 15 million people in the world have hepatitis D.

Hepatitis D is most commonly seen in central Africa, the Middle East and central South America. It's very uncommon in the United States and Europe.

While there is no vaccine for Hepatitis D, it can be prevented in persons not already infected with hepatitis B with the Hepatitis B vaccination.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E or HEV is caused by a virus. Hepatitis E is been seen across the world and is most commonly seen in the areas of South Asia, Africa and Central America with a poor sanitation situation.

It takes hepatitis E four to six weeks from the time of infection to start showing symptoms. Hepatitis E is generally mild, unless you already have a liver disease. This disease only lasts a couple of weeks. Hepatitis E is not a chronic infection.

Hepatitis E seems to affect people aged between 15 and 40 the most.

Pregnant women who contract hepatitis E can risk a severe and rapidly form of hepatitis that can lead to liver failure. This is called acute fulminant hepatitis and is becoming a problem in countries where hepatitis E is most occurring.

How are hepatitis D and E spread?

Hepatitis D is a 'blood borne virus' or BBV like hepatitis B and C. This means it is spread by contact with blood. If you come in contact with a person infected with hepatitis D's blood, you can possibly become infected if their blood can enter your bloodstream. Infected persons can pass the virus by means of an open wound, a cut, or even a contaminated needle. Also, it's important to know that dried blood can be infections for more than a week.

The main ways hepatitis D is spread are by not using a condom during sex with an infected person or from an infected mother to her child during birth when the baby is exposed to the mother's blood in the birth canal.

Hepatitis E is spread in a similar way to that of hepatitis A in that it's a fecal-oral transmission. This means that the virus is passed out of the body by means of bowel movements. So if an infected person's bowel movement, feces, makes its way to an uninfected person's mouth, it is possible for that uninfected person to become infected. This can happen when you drink contaminated water or eat food prepared by contaminated unwashed hands.

Hepatitis E is not transmitted through blood, needles, or other body fluids or through sexual contact, unlike hepatitis B, C or D.

Preventing Hepatitis D and E

The best way to prevent hepatitis D and E is to get a hepatitis B vaccine, especially if you are in the healthcare field, and to avoid poorly sanitized areas. The hepatitis B vaccine is useful for hepatitis D and will not work against hepatitis E. While they are very uncommon in the U.S. be aware that there are countries where it is common, especially of you are traveling to one of these countries.

Hepatitis - CDC

ABC's of Hepatitis