Prevention:

To protect against acute pancreatitis, prevent the disorders that cause it:

• Avoid aspirin when treating a fever in children, especially if they may have a viral illness, to reduce the risk of Reye syndrome.
• Do not abuse alcohol.
• Get genetic counseling if you would like to have children and you have a family or personal history of cystic fibrosis.
• Immunize children against mumps and other childhood illnesses (see: immunizations - general overview).
• Use proper safety precautions to avoid abdominal trauma.

If you develop acute pancreatitis as a result of alcohol use, avoid all alcohol in the future. If you develop acute pancreatitis as a result of a medication, avoid the medication in the future.