Common symptoms
The most common symptoms of jaundice are:
- yellowing of the skin, eyes and mucus membrane (the cell lining of the body’s passageways and cavities, such as the mouth and nose)
- pale coloured stools (faeces)
- dark coloured urine
Additional symptoms
Depending on the underlying cause of your jaundice, you may have a number of additional symptoms.
In cases where jaundice is the result of an infection, such as hepatitis C, you may have symptoms such as:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- chills
- abdominal pain
- flu-like symptoms, such as muscle and joint pain
In cases where jaundice is caused by damage to the liver, such as cirrhosis, common additional symptoms include:
- unexplained weight loss
- itchy skin
In cases of post-hepatic jaundice (where an obstruction, such as a gallstone, is preventing bile from draining out of the gallbladder) common additional symptoms include:
- upper abdominal pain
- high temperature
- chills
When to seek medical advice
Always seek immediate medical advice if you develop the symptoms of jaundice. The symptoms of jaundice are an important warning sign that something is wrong with the normal processes of your body.
If you have the signs and symptoms of jaundice, contact your GP as soon as possible. If this isn't possible, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or contact your local out-of-hours service.
