The use of chemical drugs to prevent a disease from developing, like taking antimalarial pills before traveling to a disease-risk area.
From Greek 'chemo-' (chemical) and 'prophylaxis' (prevention). The compound emerged in medical terminology in the early 20th century as pharmacology advanced, combining the prefix for chemical treatment with the ancient Greek concept of preventive measures.
This is why travelers get those mysterious pill prescriptions before tropical vacations—doctors are essentially using chemistry as a shield before you even catch the disease, turning your bloodstream into an unwelcoming environment for pathogens.
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