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January 24th, 2011
08:42 AM ET
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What could be causing my jaundice?

Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Mondays, it's pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Question asked by Elizabeth of South Carolina:

I have been sick for two weeks and my doctor said I have jaundice from mono. I got my belly button pierced on spring break in Mexico and I'm worried. Could my jaundice be from hepatitis C or HIV instead?

Expert answer

Thanks for your question. If your doctor did a test for mononucleosis, it would make sense that your jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) is due to one of the viruses that causes the mono syndrome. Mono is commonly spread between college and high school students and may be transmitted by kissing or other contact with saliva such as from sharing drinks. The most common symptoms are fever, sore throat, swollen glands and extreme tiredness. Jaundice occurs in up to 30% of people who have the infection and goes away in about four to six weeks without any special treatment.

Body piercing performed under nonsterile conditions has been linked to infections such as hepatitis B and C viruses as well as HIV. A person who is pierced with a ring that was contaminated by an infected individual could potentially catch one of those viruses. Poor piercing hygiene practices such as reusing dirty equipment or not washing ones hands or changing gloves may also enable infections to be spread. The states in America have varying health regulations for places that perform body piercing; however, the situation may be different in Mexico. Your physician can test you for hepatitis B and C and HIV infections, but it's most likely that your jaundice is the result of your mono infection.

Good luck!

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soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. Jill

    Getting anything pierced in mexico is a really dumb idea and any person doing so gets what they deserve.

    January 24, 2011 at 08:56 | Report abuse | Reply
    • TVW

      Nobody "deserves" an infection/disease. You're heartless and worst of all, thoughtless. I'm glad I don't know you.

      January 24, 2011 at 12:49 | Report abuse |
    • TVW

      That's it, resort to name calling. Glad you can provide such insight and enlightened thought to a sensitive subject.

      January 24, 2011 at 16:55 | Report abuse |
    • Rob F

      Jill, my wife and I agree with TVW. You're out of line. No one "deserves" that.

      January 24, 2011 at 21:58 | Report abuse |
  2. Shannon

    There is no way in h*ll I would get a piercing in Mexico. They don't have the same laws that we have in the U.S. It's much safer to get piercings in a shop that does just piercings and tattoos. Their shops are checked all the time.

    January 24, 2011 at 13:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. razzlea

    http://razzlea.blogspot.com/

    January 28, 2011 at 17:21 | Report abuse | Reply
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    January 22, 2012 at 05:29 | Report abuse | Reply

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