Prophylaxie

Prophylaxie is the set of measures undertaken to prevent disease, infection, or other adverse health outcomes. The term derives from Greek prophylaktikos, meaning guarding beforehand, and is used across medical disciplines to describe actions taken before illness occurs or before complications arise.

Prophylaxis is commonly classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary forms. Primary prophylaxis aims to prevent disease in healthy individuals or those at elevated risk, such as vaccination, chemoprophylaxis for travelers, or measures to reduce exposure and risk factors. Secondary prophylaxis seeks to prevent recurrence or progression after disease onset, such as cancer screening programs or therapies to limit transmission and recurrence after an illness or injury. Tertiary prophylaxis focuses on reducing disability and complications in people with established disease, including rehabilitation after stroke, secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, and chronic disease management designed to minimize further deterioration.

Prophylaxis is applied in many settings. In clinical medicine, antibiotics or antifungals may be given prophylactically around procedures; vaccines are preventive and cost-effective public-health tools. In travel medicine, antimalarial prophylaxis reduces risk, while venous thromboembolism prophylaxis minimizes postoperative complications. In dentistry, prophylactic rinses and professional cleanings help prevent dental disease. Public health programs promote screening, vaccination coverage, and risk-factor modification to lower the population burden of disease.

Prophylaxis involves trade-offs. Benefits must be weighed against risks such as adverse effects, drug interactions, or antimicrobial resistance, and overdiagnosis or unnecessary treatment. Resource considerations and patient adherence also influence the effectiveness of prophylactic strategies.