prophylactics
Protection before exposure
Prophylactics are measures taken to prevent disease or other unwanted outcomes.
The word appears most often in medical contexts: prophylactic antibiotics given before surgery, prophylactic vaccines.
As a noun, prophylactic commonly means condom—the preventive measure being unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
He kept prophylactics in his wallet.
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
- latexMilky plant-derived polymer
- polyurethaneVersatile synthetic resin compound
- polyisopreneElastic hydrocarbon polymer
- lambskinYoung ovine hide
lubricated · ribbed · dental dam · STI prevention · HIV prevention · barrier protection · safe sex · sexual health
Precaution against harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- preventionStopping something before occurring
- protective measureAction preventing harm
- defenseProtection against harm
deterrent · preventative · preemptive · risk reduction · mitigation · insurance · contingency · fail-safe
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
- birth controlPreventing conception intentionally
- barrier methodContraception using physical blockage
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- spermicideSubstance destroying reproductive cells
female condom · cervical cap · contraceptive sponge · IUD · intrauterine device · hormonal · pill · patch
Administered immunity booster
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- vaccineDisease prevention injection
- antibioticsBacteria-destroying medicines
antivirals · antimalarials · PrEP · preventive medicine · screening · quarantine · isolation · antiseptic
condom
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
- latexMilky plant-derived polymer
- polyurethaneVersatile synthetic resin compound
- polyisopreneElastic hydrocarbon polymer
lambskin · lubricated · ribbed · dental dam · STI prevention · HIV prevention · barrier protection · safe sex · sexual health · transmission
safeguard
Precaution against harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- preventionStopping something before occurring
- protective measureAction preventing harm
defense · deterrent · preventative · preemptive · risk reduction · mitigation · insurance · contingency · fail-safe · buffer
condom
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
- birth controlPreventing conception intentionally
- barrier methodContraception using physical blockage
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
spermicide · female condom · cervical cap · contraceptive sponge · IUD · intrauterine device · hormonal · pill · patch · ring
vaccination
Administered immunity booster
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- vaccineDisease prevention injection
antibiotics · antivirals · antimalarials · PrEP · preventive medicine · screening · quarantine · isolation · antiseptic · disinfection
- preventive medicinesflu shot, vaccines, immunizations, boosters, hepatitis vaccine
- protective gearhelmet, helmets, hard hat, hard hats, gloves
prophylacticscures
Remedies that heal
treatments · remedies · therapeutics · curatives · antidotes
prophylacticspathogens
Disease-causing microorganisms
contaminants · toxins · infectious agents · disease vectors · poisons
prophylacticsexposure
State of being unprotected
risk factors · vectors · transmission routes · vulnerabilities · hazards