ABSTRACT
Prevention can occur at multiple stages in the development of the disease. Primordial prevention refers to efforts to prevent the development of risk factors for the disease, while primary prevention refers to efforts to prevent the development of the disease in the presence of risk factors. Secondary prevention aims to identify existing but undiagnosed cases in an attempt to alter the early natural history of the clinical condition. Finally, tertiary prevention refers to efforts focused on prevention and control of complications once the disease is present.
