Jaundice Symptoms and Treatment

Jaundice Symptoms and Treatment

Jaundice

Someone with jaundice is 

likely to have a yellow look to 

their

skin and the whites of the 

eyes.

Many newborn babies 

develop jaundice, but the 

condition can 

affect people of all ages. This 

article looks at older children 

and adults.

Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and 

body tissue. That build-up is often due to conditions affecting 

the liver, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis orgallstones.

If someone shows signs of jaundice, doctors will look to treat 

the condition that's causing it rather than jaundice itself.

If you have signs of jaundice, seek medical advice.

Symptoms of jaundice

As well as the classic yellow tinge to the skin and whites of 

the eyes, someone with jaundice may also have yellowing of 

mucous membranes in the mouth and nose.

Stools (faeces or poo) can be pale in colour and urine dark in 

colour.

Some underlying conditions, which lead to jaundice, may feel 

like flu, and may also result in fever, chills, stomach pain,

 itching or weight-loss or be without an explanation such as a 

diet.

Jaundice treatment

The treatment given to someone with jaundice will depend on what 

type they have, how serious it is and what caused it.

It may include tackling an underlying condition such as malaria 

and bothersome symptoms, such as itching.

For genetic conditions that don't get better, like sickle cell 

anaemia, a blood transfusion may be given to replenish red blood 

cells in the body.

If the bile duct system is blocked, an operation may be needed to

 unblock it. During these procedures measures may be taken to 

help prevent further problems, such as removal of the gallbladder.

If the liver is found to be seriously damaged, a transplant may be

 an option.