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prophylaxis

prophylaxis

3 8.2
Actions people take to stop disease before it starts
  • noun
  • /ˌprɒfɪˈlæksɪs/
  • Specialized
: profilaxis
  • A significant number of travelers to malaria-endemic countries do not take malaria prophylaxis or take it inadequately.
  • antimicrobial prophylaxis
  • dental prophylaxis
  • antibiotic prophylaxis

So the pentamidine secondary prophylaxis has very good effect, but the final result will be available towards the end of this year.

Examples

  • Clinic staff provide certain medications at no charge, such as prophylaxis against filariasis.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Having attempted to reduce the baseline risk, the use of combination prophylaxis should be considered.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Use: both are approved for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A.

    Academic text (2005)
  • So the pentamidine secondary prophylaxis has very good effect, but the final result will be available towards the end of this year.

  • More research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylaxis for MDR TB.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The outbreak subsided after implementation of antimicrobial drug prophylaxis and enhanced infection control measures.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Initiate neonates born to HIV positive mothers with ARV prophylaxis immediately after birth.

  • Of the 50 contacts initiating moxifloxacin-based prophylaxis in the 2 outbreaks, 30 (60%) completed treatment.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Rifaximin, a virtually non-absorbed antibiotic, may have a role in the prophylaxis and treatment of non-invasive pathogen-induced traveller's diarrhoea.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Travelers are advised to use malaria prophylaxis to prevent the disease during their trip.

Synonyms

protection
vsprophylaxis
∞ 1.0

Keeping people or things safe from harm

focuses on preventing disease specifically rather than general safety
precaution
vsprophylaxis
193 3.4

A careful action done beforehand to avoid harm or danger

is specifically aimed at preventing disease rather than general risks

Antonyms

∞ 2.3

An illness that harms the body or mind and causes symptoms

infection
  • Specialized
553 3.1

Harmful germs enter the body and make you sick

How Preventive

preventive medicine
  • Specialized
6 3.9
vaccination
85 3.0
prophylaxis
  • Specialized
3 8.2
hygiene
75 2.2

Surface Forms

prophylaxis singular
prophylaxes plural

Morphology

prophylaxis = prophylactic (opaque) = pro + phylaxis

Although historically analyzable into Greek elements, 'phylaxis' is not a standalone English word and the term is a learned medical borrowing, so average learners cannot derive its meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Prophylaxis comes from Greek parts pro- and phylaxis, meaning 'before' and 'guarding'. So it literally means 'guarding before', which is why prophylaxis refers to actions like vaccines or mosquito nets that stop disease before it starts.