Does hepatitis A cause jaundice?

Jaundice can make the whites of the eyes or skin look yellow. Urine may become darker, while stools can look paler than usual. Hepatitis A may also cause tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite, fever, or discomfort under the ribs on the right side. Symptoms can vary, and jaundice is not required for every illness caused by the virus.

The colour change reflects bilirubin building up in the blood and tissues. This finding can have several causes, so yellow skin or eyes needs clinical assessment rather than a diagnosis based on appearance alone.

Arrange medical advice if you notice new yellowing, particularly with dark urine, pale stools, nausea, or unusual tiredness. A clinician may ask about recent contacts, food or water exposure, medicines, and travel, then decide whether blood tests are needed.

Until you have advice, rest, drink fluids as tolerated, and avoid alcohol. Do not start supplements or pain medicines without checking that they are suitable for your liver. Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food to reduce spread to others.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, extreme sleepiness, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician promptly for new jaundice during pregnancy or if you have known liver disease. These features can signal a problem needing rapid assessment.

Ask what tests can identify the cause of the jaundice, whether hepatitis A is suspected, how to protect household contacts, and which medicines or foods to avoid while your liver recovers.