DOWNTOWN HEALTH & WELLNESS
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HEPATITIS B

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is most often caused by one of several viruses, such as hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus. Toxins, bacterial infections, certain drugs, other diseases, and heavy alcohol use can also cause hepatitis.

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis B virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis B can be either “acute” or “chronic”.

Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus. Acute infection can—but does not always—lead to chronic infection.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person’s body.

The number of acute hepatitis B virus infections has been declining each year, with an estimated 46,000 new infections in 2006. Many experts believe this decline is a result of widespread vaccination of children. However, up to 1.4 million people may have chronic hepatitis B, many of whom are unaware of their infection.

Hepatitis B is usually spread when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact with an infected person or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment. Hepatitis B can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

Hepatitis B is not spread through breastfeeding, sharing eating utensils, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. Unlike some forms of hepatitis, hepatitis B is not spread by contaminated food or water.

In the United States, hepatitis B is most commonly spread through sexual contact. The hepatitis B virus is 50–100 times more infectious than HIV and can be passed through the exchange of body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids, and blood.

Not everyone has symptoms with acute hepatitis B, especially young children. Most adults have symptoms that appear within 3 months of exposure. Symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months and include: fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice, dark urine and clay-colored bowel movements.

Many people with chronic hepatitis B remain symptom-free for up to 30 years, but others experience ongoing symptoms similar to those of acute hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems.

Doctors diagnose the infection using one or more blood tests. There is no medication available to treat acute hepatitis B, so doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. People with chronic hepatitis B virus infection should be monitored regularly for signs of liver disease, and some people benefit from treatment with specific medications.

Over time, approximately 15%–25% of people with chronic hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Every year, up to 4,000 people in the United States and more than 600,000 people worldwide die from hepatitis B-related liver disease.

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. For adults, the hepatitis B vaccine series is usually given as 3 shots during a 6-month period. For traveling individuals, the 3-shot hepatitis B vaccine series can be given over 3 weeks and a booster is given a year later. The entire series is needed for long-term protection. However, once a person has been infected with the hepatitis B virus, the vaccine does not provide protection against the disease.

Who should get vaccinated against hepatitis B?


  • Anyone having sex with an infected partner
  • People with multiple sex partners
  • Anyone with a sexually transmitted disease
  • Men who have sexual contact with other men
  • Users of injection drugs
  • People who live with someone who is infected
  • People with chronic liver disease, end stage renal disease, or HIV infection
  • Healthcare and public safety workers exposed to blood
  • Residents or staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
  • Travelers to certain countries
  • Infants or children younger than 19 who have not been vaccinated
  • Anyone who wants to be protected from hepatitis B
Click here for more information about hepatitis B from the CDC website.


If you believe you have a true medical emergency,  please call 911 now.


NOT the biggest, but we really are the best. 
STLHealthWorks is Much More Than Just Urgent Care.
We include Urgent Care, Primary Care, Telemedicine, and Occupational Medicine.
Putting People Before Profit.
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Email us:
health@dhwstl.com
Call us: 1-844-YOU-URGENT 
(1-844-968-8743)
Every attempt is made to answer emails and respond to voicemails by the end of the business day.

Downtown Urgent Care
​916 Olive Street, Saint Louis, MO 63101
​314.436.9300

OPEN 24/7
​EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR
Fax 314.925.1305
Creve Coeur Urgent Care
13035 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
​314.548.6550
​
Monday to Saturday: 10am-6pm

​Sunday: CLOSED
Fax 314.925.1305
North City Urgent Care
6113 Ridge Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63133
314.932.1213
Monday to Friday: 10am-6pm

​Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED
Fax 314.925.1305

Downtown Health & Wellness © 2008 to 2018
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Downtown Health & Wellness Mindfulness

Not just Urgent Care and Primary Care!

We strongly believe that PREVENTION REALLY IS BETTER THAN CURE. 

Downtown Health & Wellness is the home of carefully appointed Mindfulness & Meditation Spaces, where you can come and visit as a group, have a retreat as a group, just talk among yourselves in a beautifully themed space, or partake in some of our services, such as guided meditation, group yoga, group acupuncture, massage, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking and even get an executive physical. 

Learn more at STLMindful.com

  • Urgent Care
    • Urgent Care MEMBERSHIP PLAN
    • 24/7 Urgent Care
    • GMP
    • DOCTOR IS IN STL (Blog)
    • Our Locations >
      • Downtown Urgent Care
      • Creve Coeur Urgent Care
      • North City Urgent Care >
        • STL Accident & Personal Injury
    • Best Urgent Cares
  • Primary Care
    • Primary Care MEMBERSHIP PLAN (DirectYourCare.com)
  • Telemedicine
  • Work Injury
    • Employers >
      • Occupational Health >
        • Injury & Illness >
          • Employee Flu Shots & Vaccinations
          • Primary Injury Care
          • Medical Specialist
        • Pre-placement Services >
          • Drug Testing
          • Physical Examinations
        • Sending An Employee >
          • Our Services
        • Employer FAQs
        • Travel Health
        • CMCA Substance Abuse Management
      • On-site Employee Health Centers >
        • Types of Health Centers >
          • Primary Care Center
          • Occupational Health Center
          • Health & Wellness Center
        • On-site Technology
        • Savings and ROI
        • Employee Engagement
      • Health & Wellness >
        • Wellness Programs >
          • Health Assessments
          • Health Coaching
          • Wellness Education
          • Healthy Workplace Culture
          • Wellness Interventions
        • Health Screenings
        • Wellness Resources
      • Physical Therapy >
        • Our Philosophy
        • Ergonomics & Pre-Employment Testing
        • Physical Therapy Programs
      • The DMC Solution >
        • Employer Savings
        • Quality Medical Care
        • Patient Engagement
      • Consulting >
        • Medical Directorship
        • Medical Consultants
      • Our Clients