prophylaxis
Disease prevention protocol
Prophylaxis is preventive treatment or action taken to ward off disease or other unwanted outcomes.
In medicine, it refers to measures like vaccines, medications, or procedures administered before illness occurs: antibiotic prophylaxis before surgery, malaria prophylaxis for travelers.
The term appears in dentistry for routine cleanings that prevent decay and gum disease.
More broadly, prophylaxis can mean any precautionary measure: diplomatic prophylaxis against conflict.
Stopping something before occurring
- premedicationDrugs before main treatment
- antibioticBacteria-killing medication
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antiviralAgent blocking viral spread
antifungal · preoperative · postexposure · preexposure · PrEP · heparin · aspirin · anticoagulant
Protective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- boosterSomething that increases strength
- shotQuick liquor serving
jab · antigen · adjuvant · serum · dose · MMR · HPV · tetanus
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
decontamination · asepsis · germicide · bactericide · fumigation · quarantine · isolation · hygiene
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- maskFace-worn concealment
- gownLong formal garment
- PPEHazard-shielding work attire
shield · goggles · face shield · dental dam · isolation · containment · N95 · respirator
Removing dirt and mess
- fluorideNegatively charged halogen ion
- sealantsLeak-preventing compounds
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- polishingSmoothing by friction
floss · mouthwash · plaque · tartar · cavity · gingivitis · periodontitis · enamel
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinsProtective blood proteins
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- lymphocytesAdaptive immunity cells
leukocytes · adaptive · innate · antigens · cytokines · interferons · immunotherapy · passive
prevention
Stopping something before occurring
- premedicationDrugs before main treatment
- antibioticBacteria-killing medication
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
antiviral · antifungal · preoperative · postexposure · preexposure · PrEP · heparin · aspirin · anticoagulant · DVT
immunization
Protective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- boosterSomething that increases strength
shot · jab · antigen · adjuvant · serum · dose · MMR · HPV · tetanus · hepatitis
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
sanitation · decontamination · asepsis · germicide · bactericide · fumigation · quarantine · isolation · hygiene · transmission
condom
Contraceptive sheath worn internally
PPE · shield · goggles · face shield · dental dam · isolation · containment · N95 · respirator · protective
cleaning
Removing dirt and mess
polishing · floss · mouthwash · plaque · tartar · cavity · gingivitis · periodontitis · enamel · interdental
antibodies
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinsProtective blood proteins
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
lymphocytes · leukocytes · adaptive · innate · antigens · cytokines · interferons · immunotherapy · passive · active
- preventionflu shot, prevent, flu shots, protect, vaccines
- preventive measuresvaccination, backup plan, insurance, screening, firewall
- Malariamalaria, vivax, Anopheles, mosquito, parasite
- chess skillsstrategy, tactics, calculation, openings, endgame
- chess strategytactics, combination, calculation, central control, initiative
- dental cleaningteeth cleaning, dental cleaning, scaling, polishing, fluoride
prophylaxistreatment
Care for an ailment
cure · therapy · remedy · remediation · palliative care
prophylaxisexposure
State of being unprotected
infection · contamination · contagion · transmission · risk exposure
prophylaxisrecklessness
Careless disregard for danger
negligence · carelessness · exposure · risk-taking · neglect