Knowing The Lesser Known

Of the five hepatitis viruses, the first three get all the press and attention. This is with good reason, because of these five, hepatitis A, B and C cause the most disease here in the United States and many other developed countries. However, is it worth knowing more about the viruses that cause hepatitis D and E?

These two viruses, though lesser known, are very interesting and in some locations, cause significant disease. For example, hepatitis D isn't even a complete virus capable of causing an infection. To cause disease, it must infect people who already have hepatitis B. Currently, it seems that hepatitis D is endemic in Mediterranean countries and the Far East.

Hepatitis E is like hepatitis A in many ways, but is really dangerous for pregnant women. It can cause fulminant hepatic failure in up to 25% of pregnant women. There's no vaccine yet, and it's the second most common cause of sporadic hepatitis in the Middle East and North Africa. Currently, hepatitis E is a huge public health problem in Uganda.

Neither of these viruses are common yet in the United States, but they are here. As travel becomes more common into and out of areas endemic with hepatitis D and E, the epidemiology (locations and populations) of these infections may shift. Whether this happens sooner or later, it's in the public's interest for these viruses to become better known.