How Do You Spell PROPHYLAXIS?

Pronunciation: [pɹˌɒfɪlˈaksɪs] (IPA)

Prophylaxis is a medical term used to describe the prevention of disease. Its spelling can be a bit daunting, but it's actually quite simple once you break it down. The first syllable is pronounced "proh," with an "oh" sound like in "go." The second syllable is "fuh," with an "uh" sound like in "the." Finally, the last syllable is "lak-sis," with a "ksis" sound like in "axis." So, put it all together and you get "proh-fuh-lak-sis."

PROPHYLAXIS Meaning and Definition

  1. Prophylaxis refers to the preventive measures or treatment steps taken to prevent or protect against the occurrence or spread of a disease or medical condition. It commonly involves actions aimed at reducing the risk of infection or other health issues before they arise. The term is derived from the Greek words "pro" meaning "before" and "phylax" meaning "to guard or protect."

    In the realm of medicine, prophylaxis can involve various methods, such as vaccination, medication, or lifestyle changes, implemented to prevent the onset or worsening of a specific condition. For instance, the administration of vaccines is a form of prophylaxis where a weakened or inactivated form of a disease-causing agent is introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response, granting immunity against future infections.

    Furthermore, prophylaxis can encompass actions taken to prevent complications or secondary infections in individuals already afflicted with a disease or injury. This aspect of prophylaxis is commonly seen in healthcare settings, where measures such as proper wound care, sterilization protocols, or the use of antibiotics are employed to minimize the risk of associated infections.

    Overall, prophylaxis plays a crucial role in maintaining and safeguarding public health. By implementing appropriate preventive practices and interventions, the aim is to mitigate risks and reduce the incidence, severity, or spread of diseases, ultimately promoting well-being and overall health in individuals and communities.

  2. the prevention of disease

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for PROPHYLAXIS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PROPHYLAXIS

Etymology of PROPHYLAXIS

The word "prophylaxis" was derived from the Greek word "prophylaxis" (προφύλαξις), which means "guarding or preventing beforehand". It is a combination of the prefix "pro-" meaning "before" or "in advance", and the root word "phylaxis" which means "guarding" or "protection".

Similar spelling words for PROPHYLAXIS

Plural form of PROPHYLAXIS is PROPHYLAXES

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