Hepatitis D Clinical Presentation

Author: Praveen K Roy, MD, AGAF; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD more...

Updated: Dec 2, 2011

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History and Physical Examination

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is clinically indistinguishable from other forms of viral hepatitis.

As many as 90% of patients are asymptomatic.

The incubation period is 21-45 days but may be shorter in cases of superinfection.

Symptoms include the following:

Jaundice
Dark urine
Abdominal pain
Nausea with vomiting
Confusion, bruising, and bleeding (rare)
Pruritus

Symptoms upon presentation include the following:

Scleral icterus
Fever
Abdominal pain, usually right upper quadrant
Tea-colored urine
Encephalopathy (rare)
Petechia with bruising (rare)

Proceed to Differential Diagnoses

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Praveen K Roy, MD, AGAF Gastroenterologist, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute; Editor-in-Chief, The Internet Journal of Gasteroenterology; Editorial Board, Signal Transduction Insights; Editorial Board, The Internet Journal of Epidemiology; Editorial Board, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Review Letter

Praveen K Roy, MD, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Sean R Lacey, MD Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Sean R Lacey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, and American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: astra zenaca Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

David Eric Bernstein, MD Director of Hepatology, North Shore University Hospital; Professor of Clinical Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

David Eric Bernstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

References

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