Postexposure prophylaxis
Postexposure prophylaxis (pronunciation: post-ex-po-sure pro-fy-lax-is) is a preventive medical treatment started immediately after exposure to a pathogen (such as a disease-causing virus), in order to prevent infection from occurring and halt the progression of the disease.
Etymology
The term "postexposure prophylaxis" is derived from the Latin post meaning "after", expositio meaning "exposure", and Greek prophylaxis meaning "prevention".
Definition
Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves the administration of therapeutic agents after exposure to a pathogen, with the aim of preventing infection. It is a strategy used in medicine to prevent disease after exposure to a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria. PEP is often used in relation to occupational exposure to HIV, but can also be applied to other infectious diseases, such as rabies or hepatitis B.
Usage
PEP is commonly used in healthcare settings where there is a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis B. It is also used in cases of potential exposure to rabies, such as after a bite from a potentially rabid animal.
Related Terms
- Prophylaxis: The prevention of disease.
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Treatment for HIV infection.
- Occupational exposure: Exposure to a disease-causing agent (pathogen) while at work.
- HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS.
- Hepatitis B: A viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
- Rabies: A deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Postexposure prophylaxis
- Wikipedia's article - Postexposure prophylaxis
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