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Do Steroids Suppress One's Immune System?
Question: Can steroids suppress your immune system too much and cause lung infections? I take prednisone to treat Ocular MG.
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Brief Answer:
Yes, steroid can supress immunity and cause lung infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, steroids can supress immunity and cause lung infection.
Only systemic steroids (oral and Intravenous) can supress immunity. Inhaled steroid (nasal or inhalers) are not suppressing immunity because they act locally.
So I think oral prednisone is the likely cause for your lung infection.
May I know how much dose of prednisone you are taking?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes, steroid can supress immunity and cause lung infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, steroids can supress immunity and cause lung infection.
Only systemic steroids (oral and Intravenous) can supress immunity. Inhaled steroid (nasal or inhalers) are not suppressing immunity because they act locally.
So I think oral prednisone is the likely cause for your lung infection.
May I know how much dose of prednisone you are taking?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
"May I know how much dose of prednisone you are taking?"
Been on it about two years starting at 40 mg per day. Tapered to 10 and finally, after discussions with my Neuro-Ophthalmologist we tapered to 5 every other day. He thinks this is a minimum dose and that although the MG appears to be in remission, it could return. Believe he is uneasy with the low dose.
I seen to be caught in a trap. Prednisone is good to suppress my overactive immune system, but too much may cause infections?
Maybe there is a way to measure the immune system performance?
Been on it about two years starting at 40 mg per day. Tapered to 10 and finally, after discussions with my Neuro-Ophthalmologist we tapered to 5 every other day. He thinks this is a minimum dose and that although the MG appears to be in remission, it could return. Believe he is uneasy with the low dose.
I seen to be caught in a trap. Prednisone is good to suppress my overactive immune system, but too much may cause infections?
Maybe there is a way to measure the immune system performance?
Brief Answer:
There is no such test for for measurement of immune system.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, there is no such test available for measurement of immunity.
It is advisable to take adult pulmonary vaccines to prevent lung infection in high risk patents like patients on immuno suppressive drugs (steroids).
So for prevention you should have taken adult Pulmonary vaccines like pneumococcal and influenza vaccines.
Have you taken these vaccines?
I will will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
There is no such test for for measurement of immune system.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, there is no such test available for measurement of immunity.
It is advisable to take adult pulmonary vaccines to prevent lung infection in high risk patents like patients on immuno suppressive drugs (steroids).
So for prevention you should have taken adult Pulmonary vaccines like pneumococcal and influenza vaccines.
Have you taken these vaccines?
I will will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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