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

Rabies is almost always fatal once the initial symptoms appear, but it can be prevented through vaccination, effective surveillance and prompt access to post-exposure prophylaxis. — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis includes washing the wound in question, receiving the human rabies vaccine, and, if necessary, rabies immunoglobulins, according to the World Health Organization. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

The health agency added that although there is currently no shortage of the rabies vaccine, clinicians should ensure doses of the post-exposure treatment are administered properly to avoid high costs and potential adverse effects. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

That post-exposure treatment typically includes a dose of an antibody medication that prevents infection, called human rabies immune globulin, and at least four doses of a rabies vaccine. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 10 Sep. 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