Jaundice spreads without prominent symptoms: Doctor explains

Kottayam: Yellowing of the skin and eyes has been considered the most prominent symptom of jaundice. Besides, dark colored urine is also a common symptom of this disease. However, lately, jaundice has been reported at many places even without any prominent symptoms like these. In rare cases, it could also get severe. Dr Arathy Mohanan, Kottayam district epidemiologist, explains symptoms, how it spreads and more.

Although it is said that jaundice affects the liver, it is, in fact, a symptom that shows when the liver isn’t working correctly. Jaundice happens when the liver can’t process bilirubin, a fluid that breaks down fat. Bilirubin then builds up in the blood, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow in colour. The liver is often weakened when it gets infected with the hepatitis virus. Besides, some bacteria could damage the functioning of the liver.

How jaundice spreads
1) The virus that is eliminated through human faeces gets mixed in water bodies. Individuals can contract jaundice when contaminated water enters their body; this can occur months after the water becomes polluted.
2) In the Kottayam district of Kerala, for instance, jaundice has been widely reported in the areas on the banks of the Meenachil and Manimala rivers. The risk of infection is severe among people living in communities. Besides, a public well accessed by lots of people, too, could be the cause of the spread.
3) Manimala, Erumeli, Vazhappally, Valavoor and Ramapuram are the usual hotspots identified by the health department in Kottayam. Kumarakam and Thiruvarppu too may find spots in this list when the water level rises.

Sources of jaundice
1) Water bodies contaminated with faeces and severely polluted drainages are breeding grounds for several viruses and coliform bacteria.
2) People coming from infected areas may have the symptoms of jaundice
3) Symptoms would begin to show within 14 – 30 days after the virus enters the body. However, these viruses may have started spreading from the patient’s body even days before symptoms appear.
People are keen to chlorinate the wells and tanks. However, they rely on pipe water or other water sources for cooking and drinking when the water begins to taste different after chlorination. The diligence exhibited until then would be ruined in such a case, causing the spread of the disease.