Post-exposure prophylaxis
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to preventive medical measures taken when a person has had contact with a pathogen.
Detailed description
PEP is intended to prevent the outbreak of the disease or to mitigate its course. The patients are either treated with medication or vaccinated. In some cases an active and a passive vaccination can be given. The active vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and the protection is delayed. The passive vaccination, for example, gives the patient antibodies from a person who has already recovered, which should lead to faster protection. Post-exposure prophylaxis is used for diseases with a high risk to the patient, such as rubella in pregnancy, HIV or rabies. Scientists are currently working on antibodies for post-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19.
