Everything You May Need to Know About Jaundice Hepatitis from Accuhealth Experts

About Jaundice and Jaundice Hepatitis Difference

Jaundice is a condition in which the below organs turn yellow:

• Skin
• Sclera (whites of the eyes) and
• Mucous membranes.

This yellow color is caused by a high level of bilirubin which is a yellow-orange bile pigment. Liver secretes a fluid called bile.

Jaundice has many causes. These may include hepatitis, gallstones and tumors. The difference between jaundice and hepatitis therefore lies in the fact that jaundice can be caused by hepatitis.

All About Hepatitis and The Different Types of Hepatitis 

Hepatitis is a disease that causes liver inflammation. Viral hepatitis is one of the many different forms of hepatitis. It refers to infections caused by viruses affecting the liver. Viral hepatitis includes five distinct diseases. It is caused by five different viruses. The different viruses are each called by the name of a letter:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis D
• Hepatitis E

Hepatitis B and Jaundice

Hepatitis B is liver inflammation. Hepatitis B virus causes this inflammation. Infected people with the hepatitis B  virus may or may not exhibit any symptoms. The people who do not have symptoms can also transmit the virus to other people. Symptoms Hepatitis B actually causes jaundice meaning jaundice is only a symptom of hepatitis B. Other symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, and
• Muscle aches.

The infection may be a short-lived or an acute infection. It may also be a chronic infection meaning that the infection stays for a very long duration of time. If hepatitis lasts for more than six months, it can be considered as chronic.

For most people, the body fights the hepatitis B virus within a few months and normally no permanent liver damage is caused. Hepatitis B can become a long-term illness in some cases leading to permanent liver damage or sometimes even liver cancer.

Hepatitis B is usually spread through bodily fluids. These include:

• Saliva
• Blood
• Semen
• contaminated objects like razor or brush , wherein the virus can survive for days.

Certain factors increase the risk of Hepatitis B infection. These include the following:

• sharing needles when injecting drugs
• having unprotected sex
• having a tattoo or body piercing done by using unclean or contaminated or used needles
• being on long-term dialysis
• sharing items such as a toothbrush or razor with someone who is infected.

Hepatitis C and Jaundice

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C in most cases doesn’t cause symptoms. A person having hepatitis C can live with it for years without even knowing about the disease.

Hepatitis C is a contagious disease. It can cause serious liver damage even in a person who never had any symptoms. Hepatitis C if left untreated may lead to the following conditions:

• Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver
• liver cancer.

Jaundice is only a symptom of Hepatitis C. Other symptoms of Hepatitis C are:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Muscle weakness

• Hepatitis C is spread from person to another person. It is primarily spread through contact with contaminated blood. Other risk factors include:
• having unprotected sex with multiple partners
• sharing tools like straws while taking drugs through nose
• Having a tattoo or piercing done by someone who uses unclean equipment.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of hepatitis, you may get in touch with the expert panel of Accuhealth doctors. We have our OPD department in all three centres located in Kasba, Barasat and Baruipur. You can also get your diagnostic tests suggested by your doctor from any of our centres.