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

In addition to treatments to help contain the spread of Ebola in the DRC, post-exposure prophylaxis is also critically important. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The bat was captured and later tested positive for rabies, allowing doctors to begin the girl's post-exposure vaccination series quickly. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026

But Oaklyn's family had already begun rabies post-exposure treatment immediately, even before getting the confirmation. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

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

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