prophylaxis Hear it!

prophylaxis Definition

pro·phy·laxis (prō′fə lak′sis)

noun pl. -·lax′es′-sēz′

  1. the prevention of or protection from disease; prophylactic treatment
  2. Dentistry a mechanical cleaning of teeth to remove plaque and tartar

Etymology: ModL < prophylactic, based on Gr phylaxis, a watching < phylax, guard

prophylaxis Synonyms

prophylaxis

n.

precaution, sanitation, prevention; see treatment 2.

prophylaxis Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • recommend: Hence, the US Centers for Disease Control does not recommend antibiotic prophylaxis even for high-risk travelers.
  • receive: However, some true close contacts did not appear to receive prophylaxis.
  • require: Contacts not requiring prophylaxis: " Contacts of contacts " do not require prophylaxis.

Preposition: against

infection: Acute cholecystitis requires antibiotic therapy followed by further assessment and surgery: prophylaxis against surgical wound infection may be required.

Adjective modifier

  • anti-d: Current guidelines on anti-D prophylaxis - are they effective, can they be improved?
  • antimicrobial: Factors of interest The relative efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.
  • thromboembolic: The authors of the report paid particular attention in their discussion to thromboembolic prophylaxis.
  • antithrombotic: Patients who for any reason cannot receive adequate antithrombotic prophylaxis.
  • antibiotic: There are also risks associated with the use of antibiotic prophylaxis.
  • antenatal: The use of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus negative women.

Noun used with modifier

  • post-exposure: Where post-exposure prophylaxis has failed, incubation periods have tended to be short.
  • postexposure: The US Public Health Service Guidelines for occupational postexposure prophylaxis are currently being revised.
  • pre-exposure: However, it was made clear that data to support pre-exposure prophylaxis are somewhat limited.
  • rh: No antibody testing is required after 28 weeks and Rh prophylaxis must continue.
  • intrapartum: Whether she receives antenatal antibiotics or not, intrapartum prophylaxis should be discussed.
  • anti-d: The use of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus negative women.

Preposition: in

surgery: He has continued to take a close interest in antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery, performing major clinical studies.

Preposition: of

  • thromboembolism: Implementation of a national guideline on prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism: a survey of acute services in Scotland.
  • migraine: Magnesium prophylaxis of menstrual migraine: effects on intracellular magnesium.
  • infection: Zovirax Tablets are indicated for the prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients.