Qvar & pnuemonia

[liliaannemiles]

have a bit of an unusual question, saw it was possible for Qvar to mask infection. so if you had a chest infection or pnuemonia would you not know? im quite worried about this. any input would be appreciated. thanks

[risabel59]

I think at high doses inhaled steroids can mask inflammation symptoms of pneumonia. But research says that pneumonia is more likely in people with COPD taking high levels of inhaled steroids rather than those with asthma taking high levels of inhaled steroids.

It is definitely is the case that if you are feeling generally unwell, and are taking high doses of inhaled steroids you do have to be careful about underlying lung infection.

I take Alvesco, (an inhaled steroid) at off license high levels, and I have never been warned about possibility of it masking pneumonia, but it does mention in the leaflet to be careful of Chicken pox and other viral infections.

If you are really worried that you have an infection, I would see your asthma nurse or make a gp appointment. I would not ignore it. Interestingly, I know 3 people (all in different places) who have pneumonia at the moment. (None of them have asthma, as far as I know) So there is obviously a lot of it about at the moment. Or at least so it seems!!!

Best

R

[gerrytlloyd]

Wikipedia outlines a number of things that can go wrong while using it. For me, it was blackouts which I never suffered from previously. I have wondered if the medium in which Qvar is transferred might be a factor in the blacking out because I have sensed a similar, but much less obvious, vulnerability after using Serevent (obviously, a different chemical in a dry medium.) I now tend to favour using Salamol (salbutamol suphate), the occasional Montelukast pill, and Serevent least frequently. bit.ly/salamol

[Matman]

Steroids in general do appear to lower resistance to chest infections, hence the reason some GPs prescribe antibiotics when dishing out oral steroid pills.

If you're particularly concerned about pneumonia you may qualify for the innoculation (as many of those with respiratory illness are eligible). I think it's the case that if you don't have breathing issues you have to wait until you're 60 or 65 to qualify for the jab, but if you have respiratory illness history you can request it at a younger age. Also, consider a flu jab in the autumn when the surgeries start offering them.

If you can improve your health to the point where you need less or zero preventative steroids, better still.