post-exposure prophylaxis

English

Noun

post-exposure prophylaxis (countable and uncountable, plural post-exposure prophylaxes)

1. (medicine) A form of prevention, usually medication, taken after exposure (or probable exposure) to a pathogen, preventing development of disease after such exposure; especially, as against HIV.

   Synonym: PEP

   Rape victims should be informed of the option of post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV, in addition to emergency contraception.

   Post-exposure prophylaxis may be discontinued if the animal involved is a dog or cat that remains healthy..., WHO expert consultation on rabies: first report

   Vaccine should be used in all circumstances for postexposure prophylaxis except in infants less than 1 year of age., Viral Hepatitis in Children: Unique Features and Opportunities

Hypernyms

• prevention
• preventive
• prophylaxis

Coordinate terms

• PrEP = pre-exposure prophylaxis
• vaccination (idiomatically often coordinate despite that hyponymy might be expected)