Prophylaxis (Greek "προφυλάσσω" to guard or prevent beforehand) is any medical or public health procedure whose purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure a disease. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society organisations 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).

Specific examples

Influenza vaccines are prophylactic. A Vaccine is an Inoculation designed to increase immunity against a specific disease ^[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. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa The 2001 Anthrax attacks in the United States, also known as Amerithrax from its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI case name occurred over Similarly, the use of antibiotic ointments on burns and other wounds is prophylactic.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may, with caution, be an example of a chronic migraine preventative (see Amitriptyline and migraines' prevention by medicine). Tricyclic antidepressants (abbreviation TCAs) are a class of Antidepressant drugs first used in the 1950s In Medicine, a chronic disease is a Disease that is long-lasting or recurrent Amitriptyline (or Amitryptyline) hydrochloride (sold as Elavil Tryptanol Endep Elatrol Tryptizol Trepiline Laroxyl Saroten is a Tricyclic antidepressant Migraine is a neurological Syndrome characterized by altered bodily experiences painful headaches and nausea

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. Antimalarial drugs are designed to prevent or cure Malaria. Some antimalarial agents particularly Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine, are also used Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline drug used in the treatment or prevention of Malaria. Malaria is a vector -borne Infectious disease caused by Protozoan Parasites It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions including Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between Organisms of different Species. A plasmodium is also the macroscopic form of the Protist known as a Slime mould. Malaria is a vector -borne Infectious disease caused by Protozoan Parasites It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions including

Condoms are sometimes referred to as "prophylactics" because of their use to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans

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. In Medicine, low-molecular-weight heparin ( LMWH) is a class of Medication used as an Anticoagulant in diseases that feature Thrombosis A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for Thrombosis is the formation of a blood Clot ( Thrombus) inside a Blood vessel, obstructing the flow of Blood through the Circulatory

Professional cleaning of the teeth is dental prophylaxis.

Daily and moderate physical exercise in various forms can be called prophylactic because it can maintain or improve one's health. Cycling for transport appears to very significantly improve health by reducing risk of heart diseases, various cancers, muscular- and skeletal diseases and overall mortality ^[2]. Utility cycling encompasses any Cycling not done primarily for fitness, Recreation such as cycle touring, or Sport such as cycle

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.

See also

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis
• Post-exposure prophylaxis

References