Hepatitis B

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B infection is a contagious liver disease caused by a virus.  Hepatitis B can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks ranging to a serious, lifelong illness.  Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood or body fluid.  This can happen during sexual contact, sharing needles, or to a baby from an infected mother.

Hepatitis B can cause a short-term illness that sometimes resolves.  Other times it turns into a chronic infection that can result in long-term health problems.

Who is at risk?

Hepatitis B is most commonly spread through sexual contact.  Anyone can get Hepatitis B, but those at greater risk are those who:

• Have sex with a Hepatitis B infected person
• Have more than 1 sex partner or unprotected sex
• Already have other STDs
• Exposed on the job (health-care workers)
• Travel to high risk parts of the world
• Hemodialysis patients

What are the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B?

New or acute Hepatitis B infection may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms can last a few weeks to as long as 6 months.  If symptoms do appear, they can include:

Chronic Hepatitis B can remain symptom free for a long as 20 to 30 years.  Some people infected with Chronic Hepatitis B will develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.  That is why testing is important to prevent the chronic changes of the infection.

Testing

All patients who are concerned about exposure to STDs or have been diagnosed with other STDs should also be tested for Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B can be tested with a simple blood test.  The test will look at the presence of antibodies or antigens and help determine if there is acute or chronic Hepatitis B infection.  In addition, there are tests that can check if you have immunity to Hepatitis B from previous vaccination.

Treatment

Treatment may vary depending on if the Hepatitis is acute or chronic.  Acute Hepatitis B usually includes rest, adequate fluids and nutrition, and sometimes hospitalization.  Chronic Hepatitis B treatment is usually under the care of a specialist in that field such as a gastroenterologist or liver specialist.  There are several drugs approved for Hepatitis B treatment, and new treatments in development.  Treatment varies and is tailored to each individual.

Important care for people with Hepatitis B includes avoiding alcohol and checking with a health care professional before taking any new supplements or medications.

Prevention

Hepatitis B can be prevented.  The Hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease.  Anyone who wishes to be protected from Hepatitis B infection should have the vaccine.  This vaccine is given in a series of 3-4 shots and should be considered for:

• All infants and children
• Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, monogamous relationship
• Persons who have a sex partner who has Hepatitis B
• Men who have sex with men
• Injection drug users
• Health care and public safety workers who may come in contact with blood or body fluids
• People with end-stage kidney disease
• Travelers to certain parts of the world with high rates of Hepatitis B
• People with chronic liver disease
• People with HIV

STD Testing

• A Very Discreet, Private STD Clinic

  • We test and treat, while others test only
  • Appointments available – walk-ins welcome at our main clinics
  • Just tell the receptionists that you are here for “testing”
  • Private consultation rooms to discuss what testing you want
  • Test results usually within 48-72 hours
  • Private consultation with Clinician before or after testing available for $65
  • We offer early detection HIV testing (as early as 2-4 weeks after exposure)
  • All testing done with a simple blood sample and/or urine sample (no physical exam needed)
  • Option to look up your test results online or be emailed to you.  Clinician will call you and review all positive results
  • Your credit card statement will discreetly show payment to “The Vaccine Center”

   

  • Have questions or not sure how the STD testing process works?  The call is private and free.
  • Speak to a STD Counselor for free at (702) 712-4185.

   

• We do STD testing for:

Our private clinic is supervised by Board Certified Physicians. We also have on staff Board Certified Nurse Practioners, Licensed Registered Nurses and Medical Assistants. Our staff is discreet and professional.

We provide complete STD testing. Our testing is fast, reliable and very affordable. All our laboratory testing are drawn in our office. This provides our clients the convenience of having their laboratory testing and consultation (if requested) and treatment all at the same location.

Our friendly and professional staff will be able to answer all your questions regarding STD testing. We can also provide a full consultation with our clinicians (with an appointment) before and after your testing if you wish. Our clinicians can offer you all the treatment options if needed.

Why go to a STD clinic where you also can’t get treatment? We provide both testing and treatment.

In addition, we carry vaccines that can help prevent certain STDs such as:

• HPV Vaccine
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Hepatitis A Vaccine

Both our locations are located in storefront clinics in retail shopping centers, so often you can park right in front of our clinic.

Back to top