Hepatitis D
Alternate Names : Hepatitis Delta
What are the treatments for the infection?
Treatment of hepatitis D includes:
bed rest
drinking extra fluids to prevent
dehydration
avoiding unnecessary medications
avoiding alcohol
eating a well balanced diet for liver
disease
taking antinausea medications as needed
For sudden, severe hepatitis D, treatment takes place in the hospital. A person
may require antibiotics, vitamin K
injections, blood and plasma
transfusions, and fluids.
For chronic hepatitis D, treatment includes the antiviral drug alpha
interferon, which can help if cirrhosis
has not developed. It is more effective in the early stage of the disease.
Some people with severe hepatitis or end-stage liver disease may need a
liver
transplant. Hepatitis can recur in the transplanted liver, but it
is rare.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects will depend on the treatments used. Side effects of
interferon include a flu-like illness, with
fever and body aches.
A liver transplant can cause many
problems, including failure or rejection of the new liver. After a liver
transplant, a person will need to take powerful antirejection medications for
the rest of his or her life. Side effects of these medications increase the
person's risk for infections, certain
cancers, and other problems.
What happens after treatment for the infection?
A person with hepatitis D will be monitored for side effects and benefits
during and after interferon treatment. Alpha interferon treatment might be
repeated if the disease flares up again.
How is the infection monitored?
Periodic visits to the healthcare provider and liver function tests will be used to monitor the hepatitis and to
see how the liver is working. The status of the liver may require repeated
liver biopsies. Decisions about further
treatment or liver transplantation are
frequently made based on these tests. Any new or worsening symptoms should be
reported to the healthcare provider.
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