Jaundice Causes in Adults: Why Your Eyes or Skin Turn Yellow and What to Do

In Bangladesh, "jondis" is a word everyone knows. When an adult's eyes turn yellow, families often reach for home remedies, special diets, or traditional "jaundice garlands". But jaundice is not a disease by itself — it's a sign that something is affecting the liver, the bile ducts or the blood.

The NHS says jaundice can be a sign of something serious, such as liver disease, so you need to get urgent medical help. This guide explains what jaundice is, its common causes in adults, what tests to expect, and the warning signs that need hospital care.

This article is about adults. Jaundice in newborn babies is common and usually harmless, according to the NHS, but should still be checked by a doctor or health worker.

What Is Jaundice?

The NHS explains that jaundice is when your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It happens when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the body.

Signs of jaundice (NHS)

• Yellow skin
• Yellow whites of the eyes — on brown skin, the eyes are often the clearest sign
• Itchy skin
• Darker urine than usual
• Paler stools than usual

How to check

Look at the whites of the eyes in natural daylight. Yellow-tinted light bulbs can make eyes look yellow when they're not.

Common Causes of Jaundice in Adults

The NHS lists causes including:

• Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• Gallstones
• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Sickle cell disease

Here's how these and other causes are relevant in Bangladesh.

1. Viral hepatitis — very common

Infection of the liver by viruses is a leading cause of jaundice.

Hepatitis E

• The WHO says hepatitis E is spread mainly through contaminated water (faecal–oral route) and is most common in east and south Asia.
• In high-burden areas, symptoms are most common in young adults aged 15–40.
• Symptoms (WHO): a few days of mild fever, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, then abdominal pain, itching, rash or joint pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stools, and a slightly enlarged, tender liver.
• The time from exposure to symptoms is 2 to 10 weeks, average 5–6 weeks (WHO).

Hepatitis A

• The WHO says it spreads through contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person.
• Almost everyone recovers fully with lifelong immunity, but a very small number develop severe liver failure.
• A safe, effective vaccine exists (WHO).

Hepatitis B

• Spread through blood and body fluids and from mother to baby (WHO). It can become chronic and cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• See our separate article on hepatitis B.

2. Gallstones and blocked bile ducts

Gallstones can block the tube that carries bile from the liver. This often causes:

• Pain in the upper right tummy, sometimes spreading to the back
• Pale stools and dark urine
• Sometimes fever and shivering if infection develops — an emergency

3. Alcohol and other liver disease

Long-term alcohol use can damage the liver. Other liver conditions, including fatty liver linked to overweight and diabetes, can also progress.

4. Medicines and herbal products

Some medicines and unregulated herbal or "liver tonic" products can harm the liver. Always tell your doctor everything you've taken.

5. Blood conditions

When red blood cells break down faster than normal — for example in sickle cell disease (NHS) or some inherited blood conditions — bilirubin can rise.

6. Pancreatitis and other causes

The NHS lists pancreatitis. Less commonly, tumours of the pancreas, bile ducts or liver can cause jaundice, especially painless jaundice with weight loss in older adults.

Example

Rubel, 23, a student in Mymensingh, had a week of poor appetite, nausea and mild fever. Then his urine turned dark and his eyes became yellow. Several people in his mess had been drinking untreated tap water. A doctor arranged liver function and viral hepatitis tests, which pointed to hepatitis E. With rest, fluids and follow-up blood tests, he recovered over several weeks.

Tests a Doctor May Order

Because many conditions cause jaundice, testing is essential. Common tests include:

• Liver function tests (LFTs) — bilirubin, liver enzymes (ALT/SGPT, AST), alkaline phosphatase, albumin
• Viral hepatitis tests — such as HBsAg, anti-HEV IgM, anti-HAV IgM
• CBC — for infection or blood breakdown
• Ultrasound of the abdomen — for gallstones, blocked ducts or liver changes
• Clotting tests (such as prothrombin time) in more serious cases

The WHO notes that hepatitis viruses can't be told apart by symptoms alone — lab tests are needed.

Treatment Depends on the Cause

The NHS says treatment depends on what's causing it:

• Viral hepatitis A or E — usually supportive: rest, fluids, nutrition, avoiding alcohol and liver-harming medicines, and monitoring
• Hepatitis B — may need specialist follow-up and sometimes antiviral treatment
• Gallstones or blocked ducts — may need procedures or surgery
• Alcohol-related disease — stopping alcohol and specialist care
• Medicine-related — stopping the cause under medical advice

Common myths

• ❌ "Jaundice needs a special yellow-free diet." — There's no need to avoid turmeric or yellow foods. Eat a balanced, light diet and drink enough fluids.
• ❌ "Garlands or herbal drops cure jaundice." — These don't treat the cause. Some herbal products may harm the liver.
• ❌ "Jaundice always goes away on its own." — Some causes do; others are serious and need treatment.

Warning Signs: Go to Hospital Immediately

Call 999 or go to hospital if jaundice comes with:

• Confusion, drowsiness or unusual behaviour
• Vomiting blood or black stools
• Bleeding or easy bruising
• Swollen belly or leg swelling
• High fever and shivering, especially with upper right tummy pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting, unable to drink
• Pregnancy — jaundice in pregnancy needs urgent assessment

Preventing Jaundice From Infections

• Drink safe, boiled or treated water — the WHO links hepatitis E mainly to contaminated water
• Wash hands with soap, especially before eating and after the toilet
• Eat freshly cooked food; be careful with street food and raw salads
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B (and ask about hepatitis A)
• Avoid sharing razors, needles or toothbrushes
• Avoid or limit alcohol
• Don't take unprescribed herbal products

Related reading: Learn more about hepatitis B symptoms. Hepatitis A and E spread through unsafe water, like typhoid. Jaundice in pregnancy is urgent — see pregnancy danger signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of jaundice in adults?

Viral hepatitis, gallstones and liver disease are common causes. In Bangladesh, water-borne hepatitis E is an important cause in young adults (WHO).

Is jaundice contagious?

Jaundice itself isn't, but some causes — like hepatitis A, B and E — are infections that can spread.

How long does jaundice last?

It depends on the cause. Viral hepatitis A or E often improves over weeks. Other causes need specific treatment.

What should I eat during jaundice?

A light, balanced diet with plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol. There's no need to avoid yellow foods.

Which test confirms jaundice?

A blood test measuring bilirubin (part of liver function tests) confirms it; other tests find the cause.

Is jaundice in pregnancy dangerous?

It can be. Hepatitis and other liver problems in pregnancy need urgent medical assessment.

Get Your Liver Reports Reviewed on ShifaMate

If you have mild jaundice symptoms without emergency signs, or want help understanding liver function or hepatitis test results, you can consult a verified doctor through ShifaMate. Share photos of your reports and describe your symptoms, medicines and any herbal products. The doctor can advise on next steps and whether you need in-person care. You can also browse ShifaMate doctors.

Confusion, bleeding or vomiting blood with jaundice is an emergency — call 999.

References

• NHS. Jaundice
• World Health Organization. Hepatitis E (fact sheet)
• World Health Organization. Hepatitis A (fact sheet)
• World Health Organization. Hepatitis B (fact sheet)

This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor.