What it means
The middle of the three levels of prevention. Primary prevention stops a disease from starting, such as with vaccines or seat belts. Secondary prevention looks for disease early, often before symptoms, through screening tests such as blood pressure checks, mammograms and Pap tests, so treatment can start sooner. tertiary preventionTER-shee-air-ee pree-VEN-shunThe level of prevention that limits harm and disability from a disease a person already has.Full entry limits harm from a disease a person already has.
Related terms
screening
Testing people who have no symptoms to find a disease or risk early.
primary prevention
Actions taken to stop a disease or injury from happening in the first place.
tertiary prevention
The level of prevention that limits harm and disability from a disease a person already has.