profülaktisi

Profilaksis, also written prophylaxis, refers to measures taken to prevent disease, infection, or injury before they occur. The term comes from Greek prophylaktikos, guarding beforehand, and in medicine it covers pharmacological interventions, behavioral strategies, and public health programs aimed at reducing incidence and severity of illness.

There are several levels of prophylaxis. Primary prophylaxis aims to prevent a disease from developing in healthy individuals, for example through vaccination, chemoprophylaxis in high‑risk populations, or lifestyle modifications that reduce risk factors. Secondary prophylaxis focuses on preventing progression or complications after an initial disease or exposure, such as post‑exposure prophylaxis for certain infections or antibiotic prophylaxis before procedures in people with specific heart conditions. Tertiary prophylaxis seeks to reduce disability or further harm once a disease has already caused damage, for instance rehabilitation after a stroke or tight metabolic control to prevent diabetes complications.

Common contexts include vaccination programs, antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent infections, dental prophylaxis such as professional cleaning and, in some patients, prophylactic antibiotics before dental work, and perioperative measures to lower surgical infection risk. Prophylaxis also extends to travel medicine (for example malaria prophylaxis) and public health initiatives to prevent outbreaks.

Benefits of prophylaxis include reduced incidence and severity of disease and improved outcomes. Potential drawbacks include adverse effects, antibiotic resistance, unnecessary treatment in low‑risk individuals, and cost. Effective prophylaxis relies on accurate risk assessment and evidence-based guidelines.

See also prevention, vaccination, antimicrobial prophylaxis.