Hepatitis found only in patients with acute or chronic episodes of Hepatitis B

# Which type of Hepatitis is found only in patients with acute or chronic episodes of Hepatitis B?
A. Hepatitis C
B. Hepatitis D
C. Hepatitis E
D. Hepatitis A

The correct answer is B. Hepatitis D, this virus causes "serum" or long-incubation hepatitis

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a double-stranded DNA virus with worldwide distribution, transmitted by parenteral and sexual contact. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, intravenous drug abuse, and receipt of blood products. Its incubation period is 40 to 100 days, and it can be recovered from all body fluids, most importantly, blood, breast milk, and amniotic fluid. The signs and symptoms are similar to hepatitis A (leve1; abdominal pain, nausea, etc.) but there is a longer incubation period (6-8 weeks). The symptoms are slower in developing but are of a longer duration. Most patients recover fully, however, some develop chronic liver disease.

Previously, viral hepatitis that was not caused by the type A or type B virus was called "non-A, non-B hepatitis." Recently three more viruses have been identified that cause some of these non-A, non-B infections.

These new viruses include:

• Hepatitis C: is a serum hepatitis that is caused by a virus antigenically different from Hepatitis viruses A and B. Most cases of post-transfusion hepatitides are of this type. It is usually much milder than A or B but is otherwise clinically indistinguishable from them. There is a higher incidence of chronic disease (chronic hepatitis), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Note: Hepatitis C is now the most common reason for liver transplantation in the U.S.

• Hepatitis D: is found only in patients with acute or chronic episodes of Hepatitis B, and it makes the Hepatitis B infection more severe. Drug addicts are at relatively high risk.

• Hepatitis E: is transmitted enterically, much like Hepatitis A. It causes occasional epidemics similar to those caused by Hepatitis A. So far these epidemics have occurred only in underdeveloped countries.