In medicine, “prophylactically” refers to taking a measure to prevent a disease from developing. Derived from the Greek word phylax (“to guard”), a prophylactic treatment acts as a preventative guard for a patient’s health by averting a health issue before it begins.
The Goal of Prophylactic Measures
The goal of a prophylactic measure is to intervene before an illness occurs. This preventative strategy is based on assessing risk factors that make a person more susceptible to a condition, such as family medical history, exposure to an infectious agent, or a planned surgical procedure. By identifying these risks, healthcare providers can implement a targeted plan to stop a disease from starting.
Common Medical Examples
A common application of prophylaxis is using antibiotics before certain dental or surgical procedures. This prevents bacteria introduced into the bloodstream from causing a serious infection, especially in patients with specific heart conditions or implanted devices. The antibiotics eliminate bacteria before they can establish an infection.
Another example is the preventative use of medication for chronic diseases. A daily low-dose aspirin may be recommended for individuals at high risk of a first heart attack or stroke. Aspirin works by reducing the ability of blood to clot, which can prevent the blockages in arteries that lead to these events.
Vaccinations are a widespread form of prophylactic care. They work by introducing a harmless version of a pathogen to the immune system. This allows the body to build a defense so that if the individual is exposed to the live pathogen later, their immune system is prepared to neutralize it.
Prophylactic medications are also used in travel health for journeys to regions where diseases like malaria are common. Travelers may be prescribed antimalarial drugs to take before, during, and after their trip. These medications interfere with the malaria parasite’s life cycle, preventing it from causing illness.
Prophylactic Versus Therapeutic Treatment
The distinction between prophylactic and therapeutic measures is important. Prophylactic actions are taken before a disease starts, while therapeutic treatments are administered after a disease has been diagnosed. The goal of therapeutic care is to cure the illness, manage its symptoms, or slow its progression.
A simple way to visualize this is with sun exposure. Applying sunscreen before going outside is a prophylactic measure to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. Using aloe vera gel on skin that is already sunburnt is a therapeutic action to soothe the pain and inflammation of an existing condition.