Hepatitis and jaundice: differences, tests and care
Jaundice is a sign, not always viral hepatitis. Seek prompt assessment for new yellowing of the eyes or skin; appropriate tests guide the cause and treatment.
Preview draft: clinical content and translations await hospital review.
Jaundice is not the same as hepatitis
Hepatitis means liver inflammation and may result from viruses, some medicines, alcohol or immune-related causes. Jaundice is yellowing of the eyes or skin from bilirubin accumulation. Bile-duct or blood disorders can also cause it. Seek assessment without waiting for new yellowing to resolve, especially with dark urine or pale stools.
Differences between viral types
- Hepatitis A usually spreads through faecally contaminated food or water and does not become chronic. Hepatitis E can also be food- or water-related and may be severe in pregnancy or immunosuppression.
- Hepatitis B can spread through blood, certain body fluids and transmission during birth. It may become chronic; it does not spread through shared plates or hugging. Hepatitis D occurs only with hepatitis B infection.
- Hepatitis C mainly spreads through blood and may remain symptom-free for a long time. Effective treatments can cure it; no preventive vaccine is currently available. Treatment is not the same for every hepatitis type.
Do not diagnose from one result
Clinicians consider symptoms, exposure or travel, medicines and vaccinations together. Liver tests alone do not identify a virus; hepatitis B markers require combined interpretation. Positive anti-HCV can reflect past exposure; an RNA test assesses current hepatitis C. An early negative after recent exposure does not always exclude infection; your team sets repeat testing.
Prevention and daily care
- Use good hand and food hygiene; do not share needles, razors or items that may carry blood. Safe sterilisation and appropriate sexual protection matter.
- Discuss hepatitis A and B vaccination needs using your records. With hepatitis B in pregnancy, maternity and neonatal teams should plan the baby’s protection immediately after birth in advance.
- Review alcohol and all medicines or supplements with your clinician if you have liver disease. “Liver detox” products do not replace treatment; do not stop or add medicines yourself.
Why treatment and follow-up are individual
Some acute infections need supportive care and monitoring, while others need antivirals. Hepatitis C can be cured; hepatitis B has a different control and liver-monitoring plan. Medicine choice, duration and imaging depend on individual circumstances. Recovery or lack of symptoms does not automatically remove follow-up needs from previous liver damage; continue your agreed checks.
Urgent warning signs
Seek prompt care for new jaundice, and urgent assessment with severe abdominal pain, fever or rapid deterioration. Call 112 for vomiting blood, tar-like black stools, altered awareness or fainting. This adult information does not assess jaundice in babies; contact the paediatric or neonatal team. Seek care after possible blood exposure or a needlestick without waiting for symptoms.
Information sources
These sources support general information; they do not confirm our hospital’s services or clinical approval.
This information is general and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your own situation with your healthcare team.
Back to the health guide