Is Jaundice communicable?

Is Jaundice Contagious?

No, Jaundice itself isn’t contagious, but the underlying conditions that cause it can be.

Communicable Diseases that Cause Jaundice as a Symptom

Some of the communicable diseases can cause jaundice as a symptom. This includes viral hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A:

Spreads if you haven't had the vaccine and consume food or water contaminated with the faeces of a person suffering from the disease.

• Hepatitis B:

Spreads through blood, bodily fluids, sexual contact, and sharing needles with someone infected.

• Hepatitis C:

Spreads through sharing needles and sexual contact with those who are infected.

• Hepatitis D:

Spreads only when you have Hepatitis B through infected blood.

• Hepatitis E:

Spreads through contaminated water. However, it doesn't last long or is chronic.

• Well's Disease:

Spreads through water, soil, blood, urine, or other tissues of infected humans or animals.

• Yellow Fever:

Spreads by mosquitos.

Non-Communicable Diseases that Cause Jaundice as a Symptom

While some conditions causing Jaundice can be communicable, others are not.

• Elliptocytosis

• Gilbert’s syndrome

• Sickle cell anemia

• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

• Polycythemia vera

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

• Wilson’s disease

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

• Autoimmune disorders

• Certain cancers

• Sepsis

• Cholestasis