Nonsurgical antimicrobial prophylaxis

This chapter focuses on chemoprophylaxis, the use of an antimicrobial agent to prevent infection that is often administered after exposure to a virulent pathogen or before a procedure associated with risk of infection. It discusses how chronic chemoprophylaxis is sometimes administered to persons with underlying conditions that predispose to recurrent or severe infection. It discusses the use of antibiotics as preemptive therapy to prevent clinical disease in persons infected with a microorganism, such as <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic>. The chapter explains immunization as another excellent means of preventing infection. It examines the recommendation of prophylaxis when the risk of infection is high or the consequences significant.