If one contracts an infection eg a cold etc shoukd you increase the dose of your predes if so by how much

[JOHNONE28]

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello John

No you shouldn't need to increase your steroid dose when suffering from an infection such as a cold etc. However, at such times, you should ensure that you postpone any planned reduction until you feel well again. Increasing the dose is usually reserved for operations, including dental surgery - even then not always, but at the discretion of the surgeon.

If you actually have a cold at present, I hope you feel better soon.

[kingharold11 in reply to Celtic]

you should however double your current dose for three days in the case of water infections bad flu or severe stress.Water infections can be particularly virulent I am susceptible to them and last year I was rushed into hospital in a collapsed state. A endocrinology professor read me the riot act because I hadn't taken extra steroids he said I had had an adrenal collapse. In this situation your body cannot produce enough steroid and you need to take extra. My GP didn't tell me this when he gave me the antibiotics for the water infection but all the endos at the hospital (I have had three episodes of collapse for different reasons in two years) have all said the same thing, in case of severe infection you must double the dose you are on at the time.If you have to go into hospital they will give you intravenous steroids. Wendy

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Agree with Celtic. Let your own immune system do what it is meant to be doing and make sure that you give yourself plenty of recovery time. If you are feeling feverish and generally achy with an infection such as a cold, stick to the good old paracetemol. You can take four doses a day of two 500mg paracetemols quite safely.