I have been treated for PMR for the last 20 months by taking steroids (prednisolone) and therefore have a compromised imune system. I am male and 76 years old, and have a prebooked holiday in 3 weeks to Teneriffe.
How likely is this to effect my tolerence to infection and/or hide my symptons, i.e. muscle pain, etc, to coronavirus?
Thank you.
There are several posts if you look at todays messages... This one is honed towards vasculitis illnesses.
If anyone knew we would tell you - but no-one can assess that. It is realistic to accept that we are in the more at risk groups simply because of age.
To be honest, saying pred "compromises the immue system" is perhaps over-egging the pudding: PMR doses after 20 months should be below 10mg for most people, which is a similar amount of corticosteroid to what the body produces naturally in order to function. I have never found that being on pred makes me more liable to get infections - and I've been at 10mg and above for most of the last 10 years.
But are we less at risk.? We have an immune system that overreacted and created inflammation which is suppressed by Prednisone.
Covid 19 kills by an over reaction from the immune system - therefore are we actually protected from an over reaction? or is this just 'Pred head' thinking?
The point is we don't really know until the information is there from experts treating patients. But pred as a treatment for the lung issues hasn't worked and made it worse so juries out on all of it. We don't have a crystal ball. You are as at risk of getting this as any other virus if you don't take steps to improve hygiene and do what the public bodies advise.
contagionlive.com/news/is-t...
Quite right- if Pred worked for C19 lung trouble it would be used. Pred head again!
This is classifed as another SARS virus but a new version. Maybe what worked with SARS may work now - but no guarantees. At least it doesn't appear to be as fatal as SARS was but there will always be groups who are at more risk. The deaths in Italy have almost all been in patients in their 70s and 80s and who already had serious illnesses such as cancer.
Is that the mechanism? I understood it was the effect on the lungs - rather than the immune system but I don't really know. Not sure anybody knows yet ...
I believe it is. I also heard an expert on the radio that in the Spanish flu epidemic it killed mostly 20- 30 year old because they had strong immune systems and an overreaction
They were also the ones dancing and kissing in the streets in 18 and of working age so mixing too. I remember seeing a documentary years where they exhumed a body from that period and if memory serves it (the virus) was still ready to go.
Good luck
I too have a pre-booked holiday, to the USA (Florida), in 4 weeks. Goodness knows if we'll be going or not! They may have cancelled a lot more flights by then.
We are in Orlando now. The Americans seem to be completely oblivious about the virus and I am enjoying the wonderful weather. I am working on the the sun being good for me and keep washing my hands.
🥂🥂
Still???? Trump may think it is a hoax but the Governor doesn't ...
thehill.com/policy/healthca...
It doesn’t seem to have filtered down to the population. Just getting on with their lives unless I am missing something but you know what their television is like, little news and lots of adverts 🥂
Although their local papers were good - or maybe they have all died the death!!
Just seen a CNN breaking news sent to me “Alcohol kills Coronavirus “ That’s alright then!
Is wine enough or must it be spirits? 
Well I have been getting the cocktails down and very nice too 🥂🥂
Oh that's great, and good to know! Fingers crossed it will be alright for us. I am so looking forward to going and seeing our son and daughter-in-law.
You just have to take the best advice and then decide
I hate to agree with you but yes, the powers that be are oblivious in the US. They just started wiping down a few days ago the transportation system in Boston. You should see those trains they are filthy on the inside and outside on a good day. Supposedly, the numbers of sick people are low here. Of course they are we don't have test kits and trump fired the U.S. pandemic response team in 2018 to cut costs. Go figure!
Just got back to the UK, the flight was full but Heathrow Terminal 3 pretty empty. Before we left Florida there were posters beginning to emerge and the three pharmacies I visited were sold out of both hand sanitizers and wipes. Other than that people getting on with their lives, about a dozen passengers wearing masks but that’s all. I enjoyed my two weeks in the sun and swimming every, hoping it will boost my immunity!
Take care
🥂🥂
What dose of pred constitutes a compromised immune system?
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