Q. Is jaundice contagious?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Jaundice is not contagious in the traditional sense, meaning it cannot be spread through contact with infected or contaminated individuals. However, jaundice can be caused by certain viruses and bacteria that are infectious - such as hepatitis A, B, or C; Epstein-Barr virus; cytomegalovirus; and malaria.
It is possible to contract these illnesses from another person who has been exposed to them. While this does not directly cause jaundice itself, it can lead to conditions that result in jaundice as a symptom.
Jaundice itself happens when your body produces excess bilirubin (a yellow pigment) due to the breakdown of red blood cells. This occurs because of an abnormality within the liver - either from damage due to inflammation (as seen with infectious diseases), blockages within the ducts which carry bile away from the liver, cancerous tumors blocking bile flow into the intestines, or medications that increase red blood cell destruction over time (such as chemotherapy). In some cases of infection related jaundice there may be a specific immune response against bacteria and viruses leading to increased destruction of red blood cells called “immune mediated hemolysis” – but this is rarer than other causes mentioned above.
In summary – while you cannot ‘catch’ jaundice itself like a cold or influenza virus – there are many infectious illnesses that can cause conditions which then lead on to having jaundiced skin/eyes as a symptom. As always prevention is better than cure so vaccination against common causes such as hepatitis A & B are recommended where available!
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