Local Doctor Talks About World Hepatitis Day

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Saturday is World Hepatitis Day focusing on viruses that affect several million people in the U.S.

There are three viruses, A, B and C and Dr. Barbara Montana, medical director with the Communicable Disease Service in the New Jersey Department of Health explains the symptoms.

“The symptoms are very non-specific, they can be fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, [the] more classic symptom is jaundice, a yellow coloring to the skin and eyes,” explains Dr. Montana.

She says there are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B and treatment is available for B and C.

She urges everyone to be tested so they can remain as healthy as possible and avoid spreading the virus.