Antibiotics.

[Kailacobweb]

Is there any link between antibiotics and the onset of GCA?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not that I have ever come across no. Why would there be?

[Kailacobweb in reply to PMRpro]

Just an idea as i had been using a lot of antibiotics just before i went down with GCA

[SheffieldJane in reply to Kailacobweb]

It sounds like you had been ill a lot prior to GCA, that might be more of a pointer. I haven’t read about any antibiotic links.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kailacobweb]

Which as SJ says suggests you'd had infections - and they could possibly have been the final straw that upset the immune system and turned it to attack your body tissues which is what happens in autoimmune disorders.

[SnazzyD]

There are people who have had infections prior to GCA/PMR and some info sites infection as a possible trigger. Some of these were viral too so they probably did not have antibiotics.

[Hidden]

There is this link that says..

"While the exact cause of giant cell arteritis (GCA) is unknown, some studies have linked genetic factors, infections with certain virus or bacteria, high doses of antibiotics, and a prior history of cardiovascular disease to the development of GCA.[4][2] These associations suggest GCA is caused by an abnormal immune response, where the body's immune system attacks the arteries.[2]"

rarediseases.info.nih.gov/d...

But I haven't read references 4 or 2 to see if the interpretation has some validity.