profylaxe

Profylaxe, or prophylaxis, is the set of measures intended to prevent disease or reduce the risk of complications before they occur. The term comes from Greek roots meaning "before guarding" and is used across medicine, dentistry, and public health to distinguish preventive actions from treatment of established illness.

In medical contexts, prophylaxis includes vaccination to prevent infectious diseases, and chemoprophylaxis, such as antibiotics given before certain surgical procedures to reduce postoperative infections or antimalarial or antiviral agents used to prevent disease after exposure. Prophylaxis can be targeted to individuals at high risk or implemented as public health programs.

In dentistry, prophylaxis refers to professional preventive care, most commonly a routine cleaning that removes plaque and calculus and may include polishing and fluoride application. It aims to reduce the incidence of caries and periodontal disease and is often complemented by patient education on daily oral hygiene.

Public health prophylaxis encompasses programs like vaccination campaigns, screening and surveillance, and measures to prevent outbreaks, such as vector control or prophylactic treatment in high-risk populations. The use and scope of prophylaxis must be weighed against potential harms, costs, and issues such as antimicrobial resistance or adverse effects.

Types of prophylaxis include primary prophylaxis, which aims to prevent disease from occurring in healthy individuals, and secondary prophylaxis, which seeks to prevent complications or recurrence in those with a disease. In practice, the approach is tailored to the specific condition and risk profile.