suppression

(sŭ-presh′ŏn )

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[L. suppressio, stem suppression-, a pressing down]

1. The control, but not complete eradication, of a disease, esp. an infection. In the management of HIV/AIDS, e.g., drug therapies are designed to suppress viral loads to very low levels.
2. The complete failure of the natural production of a secretion or excretion, as distinguished from retention, in which normal secretion occurs but the discharge is retained within the organ or body.
3. In Freudian psychoanalysis, the ego defense mechanism of conscious inhibition of an idea or desire, as distinguished from repression, which Freud considered an unconscious process.

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