prophylactic

prophylactic /pro·phy·lac·tic/ (pro″-fĭ-lak´tik)

1. tending to ward off disease; pertaining to prophylaxis.

2. an agent that tends to ward off disease.

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pro·phy·lac·tic (prf-lktk, prf-)

n.

1. A prophylactic agent, device, or measure, such as a vaccine or drug.

2. A contraceptive device, especially a condom.

adj.

Acting to defend against or prevent something, especially disease; protective.

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Prophylactic

Guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection.

Mentioned in: Antiviral Drugs, Cluster Headache, Headache, Puerperal Infection, Sepsis

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prophylactic

[prō′filak′tik]

Etymology: Gk, prophylax, advance guard

1  adj, preventing the spread of disease.

2  n, an agent that prevents the spread of disease.

3  n, a popular name for condom. -prophylactically, adv.

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prophylactic,

adj serving to prevent or defend against disease.

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prophylactic,

n 1. intervention that prevents or defends against disease.
2. a condom.

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prophylactic (prō´filak´tik),

adj preventing disease; relating to prophylaxis.

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prophylactic

1. tending to ward off disease; pertaining to prophylaxis.

2. an agent that tends to ward off disease.

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prophylactic antibiotic therapy

treatment with antibiotics, beginning just before a surgical procedure, to minimize or prevent development of infection. See also perioperative.

prophylactic vaccination

vaccination carried out in expectation of the occurrence of the disease.

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prophylactic 

1. Preventing disease. 2. An agent or a remedy that either prevents the development of a disease or prevents the worsening of a disease process.

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prophylactic

Medtalk adjective Preventive, protective noun A drug, vaccine, regimen, or device designed to prevent or protect against a given disorder Vox populi Condom, see there