PROPHYLAXIS

'Prophylaxis' (Greek ''"προφύλαξις"'' ''to guard or prevent beforehand'') is any medical or public health procedure whose purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure, disease. Roughly, prophylactic measures are divided between ''primary'' prophylaxis (to prevent the development of a disease) and ''secondary'' prophylaxis (whereby the disease has already developed and the patient is protected against worsening of this process).
Flu vaccines are prophylactic.^[1]
Antibiotics are sometimes used prophylactically: For example, during the 2001 anthrax attacks scare in the United States, patients who were believed to be exposed were given ciprofloxacin. Similarly, the use of antibiotic ointments on burns and other wounds is prophylactic.
Antimalarials such as chloroquine are used both in treatment and as prophylaxis by visitors to countries where malaria is endemic to prevent the development of the parasitic ''plasmodium'' which cause malaria.
Condoms are sometimes referred to as "prophylactics" because of their use to prevent the transmission of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Low molecular weight heparin is used as a ''prophylaxis'' in hospital patients, as they are at risk for several forms of thrombosis due to their immobilisation.
Professional cleaning of the teeth is dental prophylaxis.
Daily and moderate physical exercise in various forms has long been known to be beneficial. Cycling for transport appears to very significantly improve health by reducing risk of heart diseases, various cancers, muscular- and skeletal diseases and overall mortality
All-cause mortality associated with physical activity during leisure time, work, sports, and cycling to work., Lars Bo Andersen et al., , , Arch Intern Med., 2000 .
Prophylaxis may be administered as vaccine. Prophylactic vaccines include: PEP, nPEP, PREP, or nPREP. PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis used in an occupational setting. nPEP is non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis. nPEP may be used in a recreational setting e.g. during intercourse if the condom breaks and one partner is HIV-positive, nPEP will help to decrease the probability of spread of infection of HIV. PREP is often used in occupational settings e.g. in hospital staff to prevent the spread of HIV or Hepatitis C from patient to staff. nPREP is a measure taken before exposure but in a non-occupational setting (non-occupational Pre-exposure prophylaxis) e.g. injection drug users may seek nPREP vaccinations.

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See also

References

See also

★ Pre-exposure prophylaxis

★ Post-exposure prophylaxis

References

1. How should influenza prophylaxis be implemented?