post-exposure

adjective

post-ex·​po·​sure ˌpōst-ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce post-exposure (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the bat is negative, individuals will not need post-exposure treatment. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025 According to Hunt, if the cat is not current on its rabies vaccine, or if its vaccination status is unknown, as for a stray cat, the person will also need to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 The vaccine is essential, though, as part of post-exposure prophylaxis, the therapies given to someone after a possible rabies exposure to prevent the disease from developing. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 After a rabies exposure, people should seek immediate preventative medical care, known as post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves thoroughly cleaning the wound and receiving a rabies vaccination. Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 People who have been exposed are advised to get post-exposure prophylaxis, which includes a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and a four-dose series of rabies vaccine. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of post-exposure was in 1906

Cite this Entry

“Post-exposure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/post-exposure. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Medical Definition

post-exposure

adjective
post-ex·​po·​sure -ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce post-exposure (audio)
variants also postexposure
: occurring after exposure (as to a virus)
post-exposure vaccination
post-exposure adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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