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Why do a person has to be infected with Hepatitis B to get Hepatitis D?


I mean what is the relation between this co-infection, and what is teh mechanism in which this co-infection occurs

Hepatitis D is a "defective" virus, in that it lacks a particular protein necessary for the virus to successfully replicate and package itself inside host cells.

In order for the virus to replicate and grow, it has to "borrow" a protein from the Hepatitis B virus. It is blood borne, like HepB. If a person is immunized against Hepatitis B, then they are automatically protected against the Hep D virus (since they cannot be infected by Hep B, Hep D cannot survive and spread inside the host). Source(s): I'm a med student and grad student in infectious disease.
Wow. I've never heard of Hepatitis D. I know that Hepatitis C is spread by blood, such as blood transfusions. I believe B is sexually transmitted.
I take my hat off to the answer above. Good answer.
Microbiologist
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