07/15/25 Public Health Education Topic: Hepatitis D

Per CDC

Key points

• Hepatitis D is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV).

• Only people with hepatitis B can contract HDV.

• Hepatitis B vaccination provides protection against hepatitis B and, therefore, against hepatitis D.

• People with hepatitis D show severe symptoms of the disease.

• Hepatitis D is considered uncommon in the United States.

Signs and symptoms

People with hepatitis D can have more severe symptoms than those who are infected with HBV alone. Symptoms usually appear 3–7 weeks after infection with HDV. They can include:

• Dark urine or clay-colored stools

• Feeling tired

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up

• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

  
  

Coinfection symptoms vs. superinfection symptoms

The symptoms of coinfection can be different than symptoms of superinfection. People with coinfection can have distinct sets of symptoms during two separate time periods. This is because hepatitis B symptoms can occur at a different time than those of hepatitis D. People with superinfection usually experience rapid and severe symptoms.

Risk factors

Risk factors for hepatitis D and hepatitis B are similar. You may be at increased risk for hepatitis D if you are:

• Already infected with HBV.

• A person who uses or injects drugs.

• A sex partner of someone infected with HBV and HDV.

• Coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HBV.

• A man who has sex with men.

• A household contact of someone with HDV infection.

• A health care or public safety worker at risk for occupational exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids.

• A hemodialysis patient.

  
  

At-risk populations

Hepatitis D is most common in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, West and Central Africa, East Asia, and the Amazon Basin in South America.

Prevention

Although there is no hepatitis D vaccine, getting hepatitis B vaccine also protects you from hepatitis D.

To learn more visit: Hepatitis D Basics | Hepatitis D | CDC