What is infection prophylaxis?

Also known as: antibiotic prophylaxis, antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Infection prophylaxis is the idea of using antibiotics and other infection-fighting medications prior to the infection occurring to help prevent it. This approach is commonly used before a surgical procedure that can cause infections, or in patients who are more prone to infections. In patients with sickle cell disease, the spleen does not work properly or at all. The problem makes people who have sickle cell disease more likely to get severe infections. Infection prophylaxis is a potential remedy and standard treatment.


Reviewed by: Athena C Pefkarou, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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