post-exposure

adjective

post-ex·​po·​sure ˌpōst-ik-ˈspō-zhər 

variants or less commonly postexposure

: occurring after exposure to something (such as a pathogen)

post-exposure antiretroviral medications

post-exposure surveillance

Examples of post-exposure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, the park is looking for this teenager with the hope of encouraging them to see a medical provider to discuss a post-exposure treatment for rabies. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026

Fourth, ask about time-sensitive post-exposure prophylaxis. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Animals can pass it to humans through bites or scratches, but transmission is preventable with prompt post-exposure vaccination. — Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 30 Dec. 2025

However, prompt post-exposure treatment following exposure to the virus will prevent the disease, health officials said. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for post-exposure

• nondisclosure
• postexposure
• closure
• crozier
• mosher
• osier
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• foreclosure

Medical Definition

post-exposure

adjective

post-ex·​po·​sure -ik-ˈspō-zhər 

variants also postexposure

: occurring after exposure (as to a virus)

post-exposure vaccination

post-exposure adverb