Pneumonia

Just read on the ""PULSE"" webpage that they`ve found that treatment with inhaled steroids can increase the risk of pneumonia. I had it three times last year . Also what are ""fluorinated steroids""? Wondered if anyone else had heard about this. It said all doctors were to review their patients treatment, but I`ve heard nothing. Shebobjb

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Hi shebobjb,

Not sure if this was the article in question?

tinyurl.com/lv8ar5

Points to:

pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?...

If that's the right page, then it looks as though the analysis is for a raised pneumonia risk in COPD patients - and not asthma.

If you're at all worried about your treatment, then it's best to have a chat with your GP.

Hope that helps a bit!

Ginny

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Yup, it has been known for some time that treatment of COPD patients with high-dose inhaled steroids, whilst it decreases the overall rate of exacerbations, can increase the risk of pneumonia.

The same is not true for the use of inhaled steroids in asthma - they are two very different diseases.