Prophylaxis/Preventive Care

What is prophylaxis (preventive care)?

Prophylaxis is the medical term for “preventive care.” It’s the care you receive to stay healthy and reduce your chances of getting sick. Common prophylactic treatments include things like vaccinations, cancer screenings and annual checkups. Preventive care also helps healthcare providers detect certain conditions and diseases before they get worse. Prophylaxis is essential for long-lasting health and wellness.

Preventive care is different for everyone. Specific screenings and treatments depend on several factors like your:

• Age.
• Medical history.
• Sex assigned at birth.
• Current health status.

What are some prophylaxis (preventive care) examples?

Healthcare providers recommend prophylaxis during every life stage. Common preventive care examples include:

• Annual wellness visits.
• Routine blood tests.
• Vaccines.
• Cancer screenings.
• Prophylaxis for pregnant people.
• Preventive eye care.
• Preventive dental care.

Wellness visits

Regular checkups help your provider keep track of your overall wellness. How often you need these visits depends partially on your age. For instance, people in their 20s may only need wellness exams every three years. On the other hand, someone in their 50s typically needs a wellness exam every year.

During each appointment, your primary care physician (PCP) will check several things, including your:

• Height and weight.
• Blood pressure.
• Heart rate.
• Breathing function.
• Temperature.
• Eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin.

These things help your provider gather valuable information and create a personalized treatment plan.

Vaccines

Prophylaxis includes immunizations to protect you from common diseases and infections. These immunizations include:

• Childhood vaccines, especially those listed on the childhood immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccines help prevent diseases like tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and HPV (human papillomavirus).
• Adult vaccines, including flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines.

Cancer screenings

Screenings help providers catch some types of cancer early on. Detecting cancer before it spreads can make it easier to treat. The CDC recommends routine screenings for certain types of cancer, like:

• Breast cancer. People assigned female at birth age 40 and over should get routine mammograms to screen for breast abnormalities. Those with an increased risk of breast cancer may need screenings at an earlier age.
• Cervical cancer. Starting at age 25, anyone with a cervix should start screenings. Recommendations include taking an HPV test every five years and getting a pap smear every three years until age 65.
• Colorectal (colon) cancer. Experts recommend getting a colonoscopy every 10 years from age 45 to 75. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may need screenings earlier and more frequently.
• Lung cancer. People who smoke or have a history of smoking should consider having yearly lung cancer screenings — using CT (computed tomography) scans — to check for lung lesions or abnormalities.

Your healthcare provider may recommend other types of screening tests, especially if you have an increased risk of certain cancers. These screenings might include:

• Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to obtain additional images of breast tissue.
• CA-125 blood test to monitor certain cancers like ovarian, fallopian tube or pancreatic.
• PSA test to screen for prostate cancer.

These are general guidelines. Ask your healthcare provider which screenings you need and when you should start getting them.

Prophylaxis (preventive care) for pregnant people

Pregnant people have unique needs and may need screenings for:

• Anemia.
• Rh factor incompatibility.
• Gestational diabetes.
• High blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Syphilis.

Other types of prophylaxis during pregnancy include:

• Prenatal vitamins.
• Breastfeeding (chestfeeding) education.
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test.
• Transvaginal ultrasound.
• Genetic counseling.

Preventive eye care

Eye health is part of your overall wellness. To maintain healthy vision, get regular eye exams. The frequency of these visits depends on your situation, so be sure to ask your eye care provider for details.

Preventive dental care

Another essential aspect of prophylaxis is preventive dental care. The following can help stop oral health issues before they start:

• Dental exams: During these visits, your dentist can check the health of your teeth and gums. If they identify any issues, early treatment can prevent more serious conditions.
• Dental cleanings: Plaque and tartar increase your risk for cavities and gum disease. Regular cleanings remove these harmful deposits from your tooth surfaces.
• Oral cancer screenings: Most dentists do oral cancer screenings during every exam. They’ll look and feel around your mouth for signs of disease.
• Oral hygiene education: Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate how to brush and floss properly so you can keep your teeth and gums healthy between visits.

When should I schedule preventive care screenings?

Healthcare constantly evolves — and preventive care guidelines change with it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to ask about which screenings and treatments you need and when.

Does insurance cover prophylaxis?

Most insurance plans cover preventive health services at no cost. Exact coverage depends on certain factors like your age. Call your insurance provider to learn more about the details of your plan.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Lots of people go to the doctor when they’re sick. But visiting your provider when you’re feeling well might help you get sick less often. Preventive care helps your provider keep track of your overall health so they can recommend treatments tailored to your needs. Whether you’re a teen, a new parent or an adult about to begin another decade of life, preventive care can reduce your risk for certain diseases. You can’t prevent everything. But prophylaxis gives you the best chance of staying healthy so you can live life to the fullest.