Jaundice

Overview

Jaundice means yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes. The discolouration is caused by increased levels of yellow bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice is a noticeable symptom that requires clarification rather than an actual disease. It can have various different causes. Examples include liver and blood disorders or bile duct obstructions.

Symptoms

• Yellowish discolouration of eyes, mucous membranes, skin
• Itching
• Pale stools
• Dark brown, foamy urine
• Nausea, vomiting
• Stomach or back pain
• Fever, chills
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
  • Infections (viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi)
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Medication, drugs, toxins
  • Metabolic disorders
• Bile duct obstructions
  • Gallstones
  • Constricted bile ducts (tumour, inflammation)
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Liver tumours
  • Pancreatic tumour
  • Medication
  • Autoimmune disorder
• Haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)
  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Infectious diseases (malaria)
• Neonatal jaundice
  • Postnatal adjustment disorder
  • Blood type incompatibility

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Physical examination
• Blood test (depending on suspicions)
• Identification of antibodies in the blood (hepatitis)
• Urine test and stool analysis
• Ultrasound
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• Imaging tests of bile and pancreatic ducts
• Needle biopsy of the liver (removal of tissue samples)

Possible therapies

• Treatment is dictated by the identified cause

What can I do myself?

• Regular exercise, healthy lifestyle
• Moderate or no consumption of alcohol
• For frequent travellers: hepatitis A vaccination (discuss with doctor)
• Don’t drink/eat contaminated water/food
• Follow the safer sex rules (protection against infection)
  • Always use a condom or femidom during sexual intercourse
  • Don't get sperm or blood (including menstrual blood) in your mouth, and don’t swallow

When to see a doctor?

• Yellowish discolouration of eyes or skin
• Severe itching
• Weight loss
• Dark brown urine
• Pale stools

Further information

Federal Office of Public Health; Vaccinations and prevention
www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en

Foundation for Liver Diseases (Stiftung für Leberkrankheiten)
www.swissliver.ch/en

Synonyms

jaundice, icterus, gall sickness, yellow skin