Answer :
The use of a drug to prevent an imminent infection, such as when traveling abroad, is called prophylaxis.
Who does it involve?
Prophylaxis can be recommended for individuals who are at risk of infection, often due to travel to areas where certain infections are prevalent.
What is it?
Prophylaxis is a preventive treatment often used in medicine to prevent diseases or infections. When it involves medication to prevent infections while traveling, it usually targets potential health threats specific to the destination, like malaria.
When is it applied?
It is typically applied before and sometimes during a trip to ensure the individual is protected from infections like malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, or other regional diseases.
Where is it common?
Prophylactic medication is common when traveling to countries where there is a high risk of contracting certain infectious diseases that are not prevalent in the traveler’s home country.
Why use prophylaxis?
The aim of prophylaxis is to reduce the risk of infection converting into a full-blown disease, which can be particularly serious if the destination has limited medical facilities.
How does it work?
The individual takes medication either in a single dose or over a course of time leading up to, during, and sometimes after exposure to the potential infection. The choice of drug and duration depends on the region, disease prevalence, and individual health considerations.
