What term refers to a protective treatment to prevent disease?

The term that refers to a protective treatment to prevent disease is prophylaxis. This term is derived from the Greek word "prophylaktikos," meaning "to guard beforehand." Prophylactic measures include vaccinations, the use of preventive medications, and lifestyle changes aimed at reducing the risk of illness. For example, receiving a vaccine is a common form of prophylaxis that helps the immune system prepare to fight off specific infections before they occur.

The other options refer to different concepts in medical terminology. Antisepsis involves techniques to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, typically used in a clinical setting to prevent infections during medical procedures. Therapy encompasses treatments aimed at alleviating disease symptoms or managing existing conditions, rather than preventing them. Intervention is a broader term that includes any action taken to improve a patient's health or manage a disease, but it is not specifically focused on prevention. Therefore, prophylaxis is the most accurate term for a protective treatment to prevent disease.