Jaundice and Hepatitis A

Jaundice is caused to due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream which leads to a yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eye. The changes and causes do not differ according to the sex of a person; both males and females may experience similar changes in their body. Depending on the cause of jaundice a person may experience certain changes in the body like yellow pigmentation of skin and whites of the eye, dark urine due to the presence of the pigment bilirubin, light colored stools or itching of the skin. Jaundice that is caused due to acute hepatitis (which causes acute inflammation of the liver) may also cause fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Constantly damaged and old red blood cells are removed from the circulation via spleen.

During this process, hemoglobin a part of red blood cells is broken down to a dark yellowish green color pigment called bilirubin. This bilirubin is then taken to the liver and is excreted in the intestine as a component of bile. If there is some hindrance in this process then excess bilirubin is found in the blood giving a yellow pigment to the skin. Bilirubin build up in blood can result from problem originating within the liver or outside the liver. For example liver damage due to inflammation (caused in hepatitis) or scarring can interfere with its ability to convert bilirubin to bile. Also any blockage of bile ducts or over production of bilirubin can cause bilirubin build up in the blood. Read more on jaundice diet.

Hepatitis on the other hand is the inflammation of the tissues in the liver caused commonly due to a viral infection. There are five main types of hepatitis named after the virus that causes them namely - hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. Hepatitis A and E are caused mainly due to ingestion of contaminated food or water and hepatitis B, C and D are typically caused due to parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Jaundice, dark urine, fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are common symptoms of hepatitis. In hepatitis like jaundice, the changes do not differ according to sex, both male and female may experience similar changes and symptoms depending on the type of the disease. If you experience any of the symptoms of jaundice or hepatitis see a specialist to clear your doubts and treat your condition.

Submitted on January 16, 2014