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Hepatitis D - Treatment
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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All patients with acute delta virus infection are subject to hospitalization. Pathogenetic treatment of hepatitis D is carried out as with viral hepatitis B, taking into account the severity of clinical manifestations. Due to the direct cytopathic effect of HDV, corticosteroids are contraindicated.
Regime and details for hepatitis D
Return to work activities associated with high physical stress or occupational hazards is permitted no earlier than 3-6 months after discharge. Until then, continuation of work activities under easier conditions is possible.
After discharge from the hospital, you should be careful of hypothermia and avoid overheating in the sun, trips to southern resorts are not recommended for the first 3 months. You should also be careful of taking medications that have a side (toxic) effect on the liver. After normalization of biochemical blood parameters, participation in sports competitions is prohibited for 6 months. Those who have had acute hepatitis B are exempt from preventive vaccinations for 6 months. Sports activities should be limited to a set of therapeutic exercises.
For 6 months after discharge, special attention should be paid to nutrition, which should be sufficiently complete, with the complete exclusion of substances harmful to the liver. Alcoholic beverages (including beer) are strictly prohibited. It is necessary to eat regularly during the day every 3-4 hours, avoiding overeating.
Allowed:
- milk and dairy products in all forms:
- boiled and stewed meat - beef, veal, chicken, turkey, rabbit:
- boiled fresh river fish (pike, carp, pike perch) and sea fish: cod, perch, ice;
- vegetables, vegetable dishes, fruits, sauerkraut;
- cereals and flour products;
- vegetable, cereal, and milk soups. Limited:
- meat broths and soups - not fatty, no more than 1-2 times a week:
- butter (no more than 50-70 g per day, for children - 30-40 g), cream, sour cream;
- eggs - no more than 2-3 times a week protein omelets;
- cheese in small quantities, just not spicy;
- beef sausages, doctor's sausage, dietary sausage, table sausage;
- salmon and sturgeon caviar, herring;
- tomatoes.
Prohibited:
- alcoholic beverages;
- all types of fried, smoked and pickled products;
- pork, lamb, geese, ducks;
- hot spices - horseradish, pepper, mustard, vinegar:
- confectionery - cakes, pastries;
- chocolate, chocolate candies, cocoa, coffee;
- tomato juice.
Medical examination of convalescents
Patients who have had acute hepatitis B with delta agent (coinfection) are subject to dispensary observation for 12 months after discharge from the hospital. The intervals between examinations, laboratory tests, and criteria for deregistration correspond to those for monoinfection with viral hepatitis B. Patients who have had acute viral hepatitis D against the background of viral hepatitis B carriage (superinfection) with persistent HBs antigenemia, persistently detectable anti-HDV IgG, and signs of chronic hepatitis development remain registered with a doctor indefinitely.
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What should a patient with viral hepatitis D know?
In hospital, you were diagnosed with a mixed infection with two viruses: HBV and HDV.
You need to know that the disappearance of jaundice, satisfactory laboratory parameters and good health are not indicators of complete recovery, since complete restoration of liver health occurs within 6 months. To prevent exacerbation of the disease, it is important to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations regarding subsequent observation and examination in a clinic, daily routine, diet, and working conditions.
Medical supervision and control
Examination of those who have had viral hepatitis B and viral hepatitis D is carried out after 1, 3 and 6 months, and then depending on the conclusion of the dispensary doctor. Removal from the register in case of a favorable outcome is carried out no earlier than 12 months after discharge from the hospital.
Remember that only observation by an infectious disease specialist and regular laboratory testing will allow you to establish the fact of your recovery or the transition of the disease to a chronic form. If the doctor prescribes antiviral treatment, you must strictly adhere to the regimen for administering the drug and regularly come for laboratory monitoring of blood counts, as this will minimize the likelihood of side effects of the drug and ensure control over the infection.
You must come for a laboratory examination on an empty stomach on the day strictly prescribed by your doctor.
Your first visit to the KIZ polyclinic is scheduled by your attending physician.
The established control periods for follow-up medical examinations in a polyclinic or hepatology center are mandatory for all those who have had viral hepatitis B and viral hepatitis D. If necessary, you can contact the hospital follow-up office, or the hepatology center, or the polyclinic’s KIZ also in addition to these periods.
Be attentive to your health!
Strictly follow the regime and diet!
Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups!