Profylaktisk

Profylaktisk, or prophylactic in English, is an adjective used in medicine and public health to describe actions, measures, or substances aimed at preventing disease or complications rather than treating an existing condition. The word derives from Greek prophylaxis, meaning guarding beforehand (pro- “before” + phylax “guard”).

Prophylaxis encompasses a range of approaches. Immunoprophylaxis includes vaccines and immunoglobulins to prevent infections. Chemoprophylaxis or antimicrobial prophylaxis involves drugs given to avert disease, such as antibiotics before surgery or antimalarial medications for travelers. Mechanical or physical prophylaxis includes measures like compression stockings to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism or barrier methods to prevent transmission of infections. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is a common clinical practice intended to lower surgical-site infections. Travel and public health contexts may employ malaria prophylaxis or other preventive regimens for at‑risk populations. In dentistry, prophylaxis refers to professional cleaning and preventive care to avert dental disease.

Prophylaxis can also extend to preventive or risk‑reducing procedures, such as prophylactic surgery for individuals with high genetic risk (for example, certain mastectomy or oophorectomy options in BRCA mutation carriers) as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.

While prophylactic measures aim to reduce disease burden, they may carry risks, including adverse effects and the development of resistance in the case of antimicrobial prophylaxis. Decisions about prophylaxis generally balance potential benefits against harms and costs.