Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is a liver inflammation caused by the virus HDV. It is rare in Germany.

Course

An infection with hepatitis D can make the course of a hepatitis B infection much worse.

Transmission

Hepatitis D is transmitted via blood. In Germany, it usually only affects people who inject drugs. Hepatitis D is only very rarely transmitted by sex.

Alone, hepatitis D cannot infect a person. The hepatitis D virus needs the hepatitis B virus in order to replicate itself.

Protection

An immunization for hepatitis B automatically protects you from hepatitis D as well. People who inject drugs should always use their own syringe - which also offers protection from hepatitis B and C, HIV and other infections.

Diagnosis

Hepatitis D is identified by a blood test.

Therapy

There is no reliable treatment for hepatitis D yet.