HEPATITIS DELTA Meaning and
Definition
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Hepatitis delta, also known as hepatitis D, is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), which can only infect individuals who are already infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis delta is considered one of the most severe forms of viral hepatitis.
Individuals with hepatitis D often experience more severe symptoms and have a higher risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer compared to those infected with HBV alone. The symptoms of hepatitis delta infection are similar to those of hepatitis B and can include fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Hepatitis delta is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, just like hepatitis B. It can be acquired through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia, or from an infected mother to her child during childbirth. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated medical equipment or improper sterilization techniques.
Diagnosis of hepatitis delta is done through blood tests that detect the presence of HDV antibodies or the virus itself. Treatment for hepatitis delta includes antiviral medications that aim to suppress the virus and reduce liver inflammation. In some cases, liver transplantation may be necessary for individuals with advanced liver disease.
Prevention of hepatitis delta involves practicing safe sex, avoiding sharing needles or other drug-related equipment, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis B. There is currently no specific vaccine available for hepatitis delta.
Common Misspellings for HEPATITIS DELTA
- gepatitis delta
- bepatitis delta
- nepatitis delta
- jepatitis delta
- uepatitis delta
- yepatitis delta
- hwpatitis delta
- hspatitis delta
- hdpatitis delta
- hrpatitis delta
- h4patitis delta
- h3patitis delta
- heoatitis delta
- helatitis delta
- he-atitis delta
- he0atitis delta
- hepztitis delta
- hepstitis delta
- hepwtitis delta
Etymology of HEPATITIS DELTA
The word "hepatitis" comes from the Ancient Greek ἡπατίτις (hepatitis), which means "inflammation of the liver". It is derived from the word ἧπαρ (hepar), meaning "liver".
The term "delta" in "hepatitis delta" refers to the Greek letter Δ (delta). This is because this type of hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis D virus, which was initially referred to as the "delta agent" or "delta agent hepatitis" when it was discovered in 1977. The virus was named after the Greek letter Δ because its structure was observed to be similar to the Delta particle, a component of the hepatitis B virus. Over time, the term "delta agent hepatitis" was shortened to simply "hepatitis delta".
Similar spelling word for HEPATITIS DELTA
