Difference between Jaundice and Hepatitis

Key difference: Jaundice is a disease caused due to liver malfunctioning; while, Hepatitis are types of viruses which causes the liver infections and other diseases. In Jaundice a person’s skin color changes to yellow due to the excess bilirubin concentration in the bloodstreams; while, Hepatitis are types of viruses which causes liver diseases and further may also become a cause of jaundice.

Most of the times, Jaundice and Hepatitis are considered to be of same types of diseases. These are co-related to one another, i.e. Jaundice is caused due to Hepatitis virus. Hepatitis are types of virus which enters the liver and causes its improper functioning, which further give rise to jaundice and other liver related issue. Jaundice and hepatitis B can be very different from each other, as jaundice is a sign that can be seen in different medical conditions.

Jaundice is described as the yellowing of the skin and sclera (the white part of the eye) and is caused by great levels of bilirubin in the blood. Hence, jaundice is totally dependent on the bilirubin concentrations, as even a slight increase in its concentration may cause the yellowing of skin and further increase may cause the brownish color of skin. Bilirubin is present in bloodstreams, these are essential for liver, but with an appropriate amount its increased concentration, may cause the improper functioning of liver and give rise to diseases like jaundice.

Types of jaundice are:

Haemolytic/ Pre-Hepatic Jaundice
Hepatocellular/ Hepatic Jaundice
Obstructive/ Post-Hepatic Jaundice

Hepatitis is a medical condition, in which the liver gets swollen. This is a characteristic condition due to the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, poor appetite and malaise. It is both acute as well as chronic, depending on its stay or duration. If it lasts for less than six months, then it is acute; while, if exceeded than it is considered to be chronic. Today, hepatitis viruses are most common causes of many liver related diseases and problems. Along with hepatitis, these problems can also be caused by other infections, toxic substances (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants), and autoimmune diseases.

The five main types of hepatitis are caused by virus, A, B, C, D, and E - plus along with types X and G.

Hepatitides are viruses responsible for disrupting the liver and its functions. Hepatitis can further give rise to jaundice and other severe liver disorders. In order to take a prior precaution, there are vaccinations available today for hepatitis and jaundice according to their types like A, B and C, etc. which need to be taken at the right time, so that in future the liver related problems can be dealt thoroughly.

Comparison between Jaundice and Hepatitis:

	Jaundice	Hepatitis
Short introduction	Jaundice is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia.	Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
Major causes	The increased levels of bilirubin in the blood cause jaundice.	These are viruses of different respective types which causes the inflammation in liver.
Common Symptoms	Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes Whiten of eyes Light-colored stools Dark-colored urine Itching of the skin	Dark urine Light-colored stools Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) Generalized itching. Altered mental state, stupor, or coma Internal bleeding
Common Signs	Nausea and Vomiting Abdominal Pain Fever Weakness Loss of appetite Headache Confusion Swelling of the Legs and Abdomen	Loss of Appetite Fatigue Mild Fever Muscle or Joint Aches Nausea and Vomiting Abdominal Pain
Diagnosis Tests	Pre-hepatic/ hemolytic Hepatic/ hepatocellular Post-Hepatic/ cholestatic	Alanine transaminase (ALT) Aspartate transaminase (AST) Bilirubin Alkaline phosphatase Prothrombin time Albumin Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) Bile acids Lactate dehydrogenase