Jaundice is caused by excess bilirubin in the blood and can be a sign of serious health problems such as malaria, acute pancreatitis, or liver dysfunction. Patients with jaundice and fever should seek medical advice as the cause can be difficult to determine without a thorough medical exam.
Jaundice is a condition in which too much bilirubin builds up in the blood and causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the process by which the liver removes dead red blood cells. Excess bilirubin can be caused by a number of health problems, many of them serious. Jaundice with fever can be a sign of malaria, acute pancreatitis, or some liver problems.
Malaria is a tropical disease in which red blood cells are destroyed by parasites. As the liver works to remove dead blood cells, it forms bilirubin faster than it can be broken down and removed from the body. Malaria can cause jaundice with fever, nausea, anemia, and flu-like symptoms. Suspected cases of malaria must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible to avoid complications up to and including death.
Acute pancreatitis, or sudden inflammation of the pancreas, is another potential cause of jaundice with fever. Pancreatitis can have a number of different causes, including infection or damage to the pancreas from trauma or alcohol abuse. Other symptoms of pancreatitis include severe pain in the upper left side of the abdomen. Patients who may have pancreatitis should also see a doctor.
Jaundice with fever can also be an indication that the liver is not functioning properly and therefore is unable to break down bilirubin. A common cause of decreased liver function is hepatitis or liver swelling. Hepatitis can result from long-term liver damage, such as that caused by alcoholism, in which case it usually does not cause fever. Some cases of hepatitis, however, are viral or bacterial, which can lead to a fever as the body tries to fight off the infection.
Reduced liver function can also be a result of glandular fever, also known as mononucleosis or simply mono. Patients with glandular fever usually experience extreme tiredness, swollen glands, and flu-like symptoms. Jaundice is not present in all cases of glandular fever and is usually mild when present.
Because many of the conditions that cause jaundice with fever can be dangerous, patients experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice. The exact cause can be difficult to determine without a thorough medical exam. This will often include blood tests.
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