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- Hepatitis D: Anyone who has chronic hepatitis B is also susceptible to infection with another strain of viral hepatitis known as hepatitis D (formerly called delta virus). Hepatitis D virus can only infect cells if the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is present. Injection drug users who have hepatitis B are at the greatest risk.
- Liver disease: Individuals with chronic HBV infection may develop serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis (scarred, fibrous liver that is full of fat and not functioning properly) and liver cancer. Individuals who had HBV as an infant are at a greater risk of developing serious liver complications as an adult. Also, individuals who are infected with both hepatitis B and hepatitis D have an increased risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer, both of which can be fatal.
- Liver failure: Individuals diagnosed with HBV are at risk of acute liver failure, which occurs when all the vital functions of the liver shut down. Liver failure occurs if cirrhosis is present in more than two–thirds of the liver. Liver failure requires a liver transplant and can be fatal.
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