Hepatitis D Clinical Presentation

Updated: Oct 20, 2021
  • Author: Praveen K Roy, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: BS Anand, MD  more...
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Presentation

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.

Signs/symptoms include the following:

  • Jaundice

  • Dark urine

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea with vomiting

  • Confusion, bruising, and bleeding (rare)

  • Pruritus

Signs/symptoms upon presentation include the following:

  • Scleral icterus

  • Fever

  • Abdominal pain, usually right upper quadrant

  • Tea-colored urine

  • Encephalopathy (rare)

  • Petechia with bruising (rare)