post-exposure prophylaxis

noun

variants or less commonly postexposure prophylaxis
plural post-exposure prophylaxes also postexposure prophylaxes
: a preventative treatment for infections or diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, or rabies) that involves administering one or more drugs to an individual after potential or confirmed exposure to a particular pathogen
Traditionally, most people only get treated for sexually transmitted infections after they notice symptoms, but this new method gets out ahead of a potential infection so the body can prevent it from occurring. In medical terms, it's known as post-exposure prophylaxisScripps News
The new recommendations also include post-exposure prophylaxis for children: a single dose of doxycycline to be given after an engorged tick has been removed, especially during the summer months, to reduce the risk of Lyme disease.Perri Klass
abbreviation PEP
compare pre-exposure prophylaxis

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of post-exposure prophylaxis was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near post-exposure prophylaxis

Cite this Entry

“Post-exposure prophylaxis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post-exposure%20prophylaxis. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

post-exposure prophylaxis

noun
variants also postexposure prophylaxis
plural post-exposure prophylaxes also postexposure prophylaxes
: a preventative treatment for infections or diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, or rabies) that involves administering one or more drugs to an individual after potential or confirmed exposure to a particular pathogen
Although avoiding exposure is the most effective prevention strategy, it is not always possible and post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline has been shown to be effective at decreasing the risk of developing Lyme disease following a recognized tick bite.Allison M. Dering-Anderson and Alex J. Adams, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
abbreviation PEP
compare pre-exposure prophylaxis
Last Updated: - Entry added
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