What is the Difference Between Jaundice and Hepatitis B

The liver is a very impressive organ located on the right side of the abdomen. It is the largest internal organ in the human body that performs hundreds of different functions. Jaundice and hepatitis B are two medical conditions that affect the function of the liver. They are two related medical conditions. This is because jaundice can be caused by hepatitis B due to liver damage.

The key difference between jaundice and hepatitis B is their aetiologies. Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess amounts of bilirubin circulating in the bloodstream and dissolving in subcutaneous fat, while hepatitis B is a viral infection that damages the liver.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Jaundice  
3. What is Hepatitis B
4. Similarities – Jaundice and Hepatitis B
5. Jaundice vs Hepatitis B in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Jaundice vs Hepatitis B
7. FAQ – Jaundice and Hepatitis B

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is a condition due to the yellowing of the skin and the eye. Jaundice is more common in older adults and children. It can be caused by gallstone disorders, alcoholism, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and certain types of cancers. The symptoms of jaundice are fever, stomach pain, chills, dark urine, tar or clay-coloured stools, flu-like feeling, itchy skin, weight loss, feeling unusually irritated, confusion, abnormal drowsiness, bruising or bleeding easily, and blood vomiting.

Jaundice is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, CT scan, and MRI. Furthermore, treatment options for jaundice may include prescribed medications like cholestyramine for itching, managing underlying conditions like viral infections, phototherapy, and surgery.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It leads to inflammation of the liver known as hepatitis. The long-term inflammation can result in cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The symptoms of hepatitis B may include fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue, joint pain, jaundice, dark coloured urine, light or clay coloured stool, and swelling with fluid in the belly, arms or legs.

Hepatitis B is diagnosed through health history, physical examination, liver function test, liver biopsy, imaging test, and elastography. Furthermore, treatment options for hepatitis B may include vaccination, giving hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), intravenous fluids, intravenous nutrition, pain relief medications, immune modulator drugs such as peginterferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2 b, oral antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, surgery to remove part or all of the liver, and liver transplantation.

Similarities Between Jaundice and Hepatitis B

1. Jaundice and hepatitis B are two associated medical conditions.
2. Jaundice can be caused by hepatitis B due to liver damage.
3. Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, and imaging testing.
4. They can be treated through specific surgeries.

Difference Between Jaundice and Hepatitis B

Definition

1. Jaundice is a condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
2. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver.

Causes

1. Jaundice can be caused by gallstone disorders, alcoholism, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and certain types of cancers.
2. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Signs and Symptoms

1. The signs and symptoms of jaundice include fever, stomach pain, chills, dark urine, tar or clay-colored stools, flu-like symptoms, itchy skin, weight loss, unusual irritability, confusion, abnormal drowsiness, easy bruising or bleeding, and blood in vomit.
2. Hepatitis B presents with symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue, joint pain, jaundice, dark-colored urine, light or clay-colored stool, and swelling with fluid in the belly, arms, or legs.

Diagnosis

1. Jaundice is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, CT scan, and MRI.
2. Hepatitis B is diagnosed through health history, physical examination, liver function tests, liver biopsy, imaging tests, and elastography.

Treatment

1. Jaundice is treated with medications like cholestyramine for itching, managing underlying conditions such as viral infections, phototherapy, and surgery if necessary.
2. Hepatitis B treatment may include vaccination, administering hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), intravenous fluids, intravenous nutrition, pain relief medications, immune modulator drugs such as peginterferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b, oral antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, surgery to remove part or all of the liver, and liver transplantation.

The following table summarizes the difference between jaundice and hepatitis B.

Summary – Jaundice vs Hepatitis B

Jaundice and hepatitis B are two related medical conditions since jaundice can be caused by hepatitis B.  In jaundice, the skin and the white part of the eye become yellowish due to the excess bilirubin circulating in the bloodstream. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that damages the liver. This is the basic difference between jaundice and hepatitis B.

 FAQ: Jaundice and Hepatitis B

1. What is jaundice caused by?

• Jaundice is normally a sign of a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Jaundice occurs when too much bilirubin builds up in the body. Therefore, jaundice can be caused by gallstone disorders, alcoholism, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and certain types of cancers.

2. What is the best treatment for jaundice?

• Jaundice can be treated through prescribed medications like cholestyramine for itching, managing underlying conditions like viral infections, phototherapy, and surgery.

3. What is hepatitis B caused by?

• Hepatitis B is a viral infection and it is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This virus is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids. However, it does not spread by sneezing or coughing.

4. What are the common symptoms of hepatitis B?

• The symptoms of hepatitis B may include fever, stomach pain, chills, dark urine, tar or clay coloured stools, flu-like feeling, itchy skin, weight loss, feeling unusually irritated, confusion, abnormal drowsiness, bruising or bleeding easily, and blood vomiting.

5. Does hepatitis B ever go away on its own?

• There is normally no cure for hepatitis B. However, it usually goes away by itself in 4 to 8 weeks. But about 1 in 20 people who get hepatitis B as adults become “carriers,” which means they have a chronic hepatitis B infection. These cases can be treated through intravenous fluids, intravenous nutrition, and pain relief medications, immune modulator drugs such as peginterferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b, oral antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery.

Reference:

1. “Jaundice.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Hepatitis B | HBV.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hepatitis B Virus”  By NIAID (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr
2. ” Jaundice eye – A close up of a person’s face with yellow eyes” (Public Domain) via Picryl